Technology Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Software Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median software engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $104,328 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$104,328
vs State Avg
$-4,968
vs National
$-19,872
Cost of Living
86%

Software Engineer Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median software engineer salary of $104,328, which is $4,968 below the Nebraska state average of $109,296. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Kearney pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Kearney's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $104,328 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $121,312 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for software engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for software engineers in Kearney spans from $62,664 at the 10th percentile to $166,807 at the 90th percentile — a $104,143 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,520, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $155,400. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level software engineer earns around $65,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $155,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,520
$-12,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,000
$-20,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$155,400
$-29,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $62,664
25th Percentile $82,488
Median (50th) $104,328
75th Percentile $132,888
90th Percentile $166,807

Software Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$113,022
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$111,780
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$109,296
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$101,844
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Software Engineer in Kearney

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open software engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Software Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $104,328 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $62,664 (10th percentile) to $166,807 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,328, a software engineer in Kearney earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median software engineer salary of $104,328 is 4.5% below the Nebraska state average of $109,296. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Kearney, NE? ▼
Kearney has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $104,328 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.