Elementary School Teacher Salary in Kearney, NE: $56,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Kearney, NE earns a median $56,918/year (≈ $27.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected elementary school teacher salary in Kearney for 2026 is $56,918, which is approximately 11.89% lower than the national median of $64,597. Teachers here can expect a salary range from $45,634 at the 10th percentile to $88,223 at the 90th percentile. This range reflects the local market conditions and the step-and-lane scale prevalent in Nebraska's education system, where salary increases are typically linked to years of experience and educational attainment levels. Teachers with a master's degree or higher, particularly those at the advanced step placements, can anticipate being positioned toward the upper tiers of this scale, enhancing their earning potential within Kearney's school districts.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,634 | $21.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,093 | $25.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,918 | $27.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,035 | $34.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,223 | $42.41 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,589 (2026 est.). At $56,918, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Kearney median: $56,918/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,105 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -11.89% less |
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.
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 elementary school teacher earning $56,918 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,577
2025 BLS Actual
$56,366
2026 Current Est.
$56,918
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,577 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,357 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,476 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $52,577 (2019) to $56,366 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,899 (9.32%) 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 0.98% 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) | $45,634 – $53,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,093 – $56,918 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,918 – $72,035 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,035 – $88,223 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Kearney
In Kearney, the local job market supports a modest number of elementary school teachers, with only nine currently employed in the area. The cost of living index is significantly below the national average at 91.5, which positively impacts the purchasing power of local educators. Among the various schools in Kearney, the largest public school districts generally provide competitive pay, though charter schools may offer varying compensation dependent on their operational structures. Factors such as local hiring incentives for STEM or special education roles can create substantial differences in pay, often driven by a shortage of qualified candidates in specific areas. To maximize earnings, educators in Kearney should consider pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining certifications such as the National Board Certification, and exploring opportunities for supplemental income through summer school positions or after-school tutoring, all of which can effectively enhance their overall salary.
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
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 $56,366 for elementary school teachersin the Kearney metropolitan area. A 0.98% 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 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