Police Officer Salary in Kearney, NE: $69,205 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kearney, NE earns a median $69,205/year (≈ $33.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $75,634 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Kearney, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $69,205, reflecting a competitive local market despite being approximately 11.89% lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this position varies significantly, with entry-level officers earning around $46,473 and the most experienced reaching up to $102,224 annually. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, which are important in a city like Kearney where the cost of living index stands at 91.5—well below the national average of 100. The local salary dynamics indicate a moderate growth rate of 3.06% annually, suggesting promising opportunities for future progress in police officer pay in Kearney.
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) | $46,473 | $22.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,205 | $33.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,091 | $42.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,224 | $49.15 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,751 (2026 est.). At $69,205, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Police Officer Pay Compares
Kearney median: $69,205/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $71,864 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -11.89% less |
Police Officers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $69,205 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $71,864.
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 police officer earning $69,205 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,634 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,643
2025 BLS Actual
$67,150
2026 Current Est.
$69,205
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,748 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,969 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,205 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,322 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $55,643 (2019) to $67,150 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,322 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,679 (28.18%) 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 3.06% 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) | $46,473 – $55,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,830 – $69,205 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,205 – $88,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,091 – $102,224 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kearney
Analyzing the local job market, Kearney currently employs nine police officers, indicating a concentrated yet stable workforce. While the area's cost of living provides a financial cushion for residents, it also means that salary adjustments significantly affect real purchasing power. Among potential employers, municipal police departments rank as the primary source of employment, with the possibility of higher salaries offered by state police or federal law enforcement entities for those willing to meet the requirements for such roles. Factors contributing to the variance in pay include agency type, overtime structures, special unit assignments, and educational incentives. To maximize earning potential, local officers should consider specialized training, union representation for better contracts, and strategic shift preferences. Understanding how local dynamics influence pay is crucial for anyone looking to advance their police officer pay in Kearney, NE.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
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 $67,150 for police officersin the Kearney metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov