Construction & Real Estate Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Urban Planner Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median urban planner salary in Kearney, NE is $68,404 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$68,404
vs State Avg
$-3,182
vs National
$-11,136
Cost of Living
86%

Urban Planner Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median urban planner salary of $68,404, which is $3,182 below the Nebraska state average of $71,586. Compared to the national median of $79,540, 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 $68,404 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,540 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for urban planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for urban planners in Kearney spans from $43,000 at the 10th percentile to $104,920 at the 90th percentile — a $61,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior urban planners 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.

Urban Planner Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level urban planner earns around $44,720, 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)
$44,720
$-7,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$69,660
$-11,340 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$101,480
$-16,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $43,000
25th Percentile $54,180
Median (50th) $68,404
75th Percentile $86,000
90th Percentile $104,920

Urban Planner Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$73,972
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$73,177
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$71,586
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$66,814
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Urban Planner in Kearney

Education

Most urban planner positions require a master's degree. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Urban PlanningGISZoning LawCommunity EngagementData AnalysisAutoCAD

Job Outlook

Nationally, urban planner employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Kearney

Browse open urban planner positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Kearney

How much does a Urban Planner make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $68,404 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $43,000 (10th percentile) to $104,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,404, a urban planner in Kearney earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Kearney's median urban planner salary of $68,404 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $71,586. 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 urban planner salary of $68,404 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Kearney? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Kearney require a master's degree. Key skills include Urban Planning, GIS, Zoning Law, Community Engagement. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.