Nurse Practitioner Salary in Kearney, NE: $120,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Kearney, NE earns a median $120,595/year (≈ $57.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $131,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals in Kearney, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $120,595 for nurse practitioners, which is notably lower than the national median of $136,864. The salary for these professionals ranges from $98,708 at the 10th percentile to $155,651 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variance in experience, specialty, and employer within the region. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which factors in regional cost adjustments. With Nebraska being a state that allows full practice for nurse practitioners, local compensation reflects both the scope of practice and the competitive landscape of healthcare in Kearney.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($121,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,708 | $47.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,229 | $53.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,595 | $57.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,074 | $68.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,651 | $74.84 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,943 (2026 est.). At $120,595, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Kearney median: $120,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $125,228 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -11.89% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Kearney, NE earn a median of $120,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $125,228.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $120,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,798 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,765
2025 BLS Actual
$116,573
2026 Current Est.
$120,595
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,765 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,404 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,334 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,154 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,251 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,573 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $96,765 (2019) to $116,573 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,990 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $98,708 – $111,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,229 – $120,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,595 – $142,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,074 – $155,651 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Kearney
Within Kearney, the demand for nurse practitioners is moderate, with only nine currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the buying power within the local economy can be more favorable. Among the leading employers, hospital outpatient clinics and primary care practices are noted for offering higher salaries, especially for those in specialized fields like psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP), who traditionally command top pay due to the acute need in mental health services. Factors influencing salary discrepancies include the focus of practice, whether it’s a full-practice or collaboration-required environment, and opportunities for additional income through productivity bonuses or telehealth platforms. To maximize earning potential in Kearney, nurse practitioners should also consider opportunities in specialized clinics or take on 1099 contracts with locum agencies to increase their overall compensation.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $116,573 for nurse practitionersin the Kearney metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearney is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov