Healthcare Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Veterinarian Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median veterinarian salary in Kearney, NE is $88,804 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$88,804
vs State Avg
$-4,130
vs National
$-14,456
Cost of Living
86%

Veterinarian Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median veterinarian salary of $88,804, which is $4,130 below the Nebraska state average of $92,934. Compared to the national median of $103,260, 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 $88,804 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $103,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for veterinarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for veterinarians in Kearney spans from $56,072 at the 10th percentile to $149,812 at the 90th percentile — a $93,740 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,480, while senior veterinarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,300. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Veterinarian Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level veterinarian earns around $58,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,300
$-14,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,300
$-21,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $56,072
25th Percentile $69,144
Median (50th) $88,804
75th Percentile $115,584
90th Percentile $149,812

Veterinarian Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$96,032
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$94,999
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$92,934
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$86,738
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Veterinarian in Kearney

Education

Most veterinarian positions require a doctoral degree. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

DiagnosisSurgeryPharmacologyAnimal HandlingClient CommunicationRadiology

Job Outlook

Nationally, veterinarian employment is projected to grow 19% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Veterinarian Jobs in Kearney

Browse open veterinarian positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Veterinarian Salary in Kearney

How much does a Veterinarian make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median veterinarian salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $88,804 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $103,260. Salaries range from $56,072 (10th percentile) to $149,812 (90th percentile).
How much does a Veterinarian make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $88,804, a veterinarian in Kearney earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for veterinarian pay? ▼
Kearney's median veterinarian salary of $88,804 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $92,934. 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 veterinarian salary of $88,804 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a veterinarian in Kearney? ▼
Most veterinarian positions in Kearney require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Diagnosis, Surgery, Pharmacology, Animal Handling. The job market is projected to grow 19% nationally over the next decade.