Hospitality & Tourism Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Sommelier Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median sommelier salary in Kearney, NE is $53,320 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$53,320
vs State Avg
$-2,480
vs National
$-8,680
Cost of Living
86%

Sommelier Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median sommelier salary of $53,320, which is $2,480 below the Nebraska state average of $55,800. Compared to the national median of $62,000, 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 $53,320 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $62,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for sommeliers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for sommeliers in Kearney spans from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $107,500 at the 90th percentile — a $79,980 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,100, while senior sommeliers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $101,480. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Sommelier Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level sommelier earns around $30,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$55,900
$-9,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$101,480
$-16,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $37,840
Median (50th) $53,320
75th Percentile $79,120
90th Percentile $107,500

Sommelier Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$57,660
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$57,040
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$55,800
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$52,080
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Sommelier in Kearney

Education

Most sommelier positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Wine KnowledgeTastingFood PairingInventory ManagementCustomer ServiceSommelier Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, sommelier employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Sommelier Jobs in Kearney

Browse open sommelier positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Sommelier Salary in Kearney

How much does a Sommelier make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median sommelier salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $53,320 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $62,000. Salaries range from $27,520 (10th percentile) to $107,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Sommelier make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,320, a sommelier in Kearney earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for sommelier pay? ▼
Kearney's median sommelier salary of $53,320 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $55,800. 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 sommelier salary of $53,320 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a sommelier in Kearney? ▼
Most sommelier positions in Kearney require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Wine Knowledge, Tasting, Food Pairing, Inventory Management. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.