Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $27.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Kearney, NE runs $27.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,918 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,152 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $27.37, elementary school teacher hourly pay in Kearney, NE, falls below the national median of $31.06. This disparity reflects not only regional economic conditions but also the values placed on education in different communities. For part-time teachers working three days a week, or those engaged in per-diem roles across K-12 settings, these hourly figures can significantly influence annual take-home income. Entry-level educators may start near the bottom of the hourly range at $21.94, while top earners can reach $42.41 per hour, typically in specialized roles or more lucrative districts. The hourly estimates provided are derived from annual salary projections and help illuminate the financial landscape for educational professionals in Kearney, considering various instructional settings such as summer school programs and after-school tutoring.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.94 | $175.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.53 | $204.22 |
| Median (P50) | $27.37 | $218.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.64 | $277.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.41 | $339.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $27.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.37/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $56,920 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,839. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,094.62 | $4,743 | $56,920 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.77 | $2,846 | $34,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.85 | $1,897 | $22,768 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Kearney) | $27.37 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $56,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $59,105.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.37/hr = $34,152/year (purchasing power: $37,325).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,920/year (purchasing power: $62,208).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Kearney grew 7.2% from $25.28/hr (2019) to $27.10/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.63/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Kearney
The earning potential for part-time elementary school teachers in Kearney can be substantial, but it remains uneven compared to full-time counterparts. A teacher working a 24-hour week at the median hourly rate would clear approximately $42,736 annually, while full-time employees might earn considerably more. For those pursuing per diem elementary school teacher pay in Kearney, the landscape varies. Substitute teachers often command between $100 to $250 per day, contingent upon district policies and duration of assignments. For specialized tutoring, educators using platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors might see hourly rates ranging from $30 to $80, depending on demand and subject matter expertise. Additionally, earnings can differ based on the type of school—public, charter, or private—each having unique pay structures. Those securing benefits from full-time positions might accept a lower hourly pay compared to freelancers who offer flexibility but no health insurance or retirement contributions. Teachers in Kearney should weigh the trade-offs carefully and consider effective negotiation strategies suited to their particular employment context.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Kearney. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov