The minimum wage in Kearney is $12.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $17.75/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Kearney.
The minimum wage in Kearney is the Nebraska statewide minimum of $12.00/hour. Kearney does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Nebraska statewide minimum of $12.00/hour applies; Nebraska voters approved the increase and the rate adjusts over time. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Kearney. With average 1-bedroom rent near $800/month and a cost-of-living index of 76 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Kearney, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.00 | $24,960 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $17.75 | $36,920 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $37.00 | $76,960 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $9,600 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Buffalo County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Kearney.
Kearney sits along Interstate 80 in central Nebraska and is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, with an economy built on higher education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and its role as a travel and convention stop on the Platte River.
| Local Metric | Kearney (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 35,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Buffalo County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 76 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $17.75/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $37.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $800/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,000/month |
| Median home price | $230,000 |
| Median household income | $58,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.7% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Kearney is the Nebraska statewide minimum of $12.00/hour. Kearney does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Nebraska statewide minimum of $12.00/hour applies; Nebraska voters approved the increase and the rate adjusts over time. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $24,960 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Buffalo County needs about $17.75/hour (roughly $36,920/year) to cover basic costs. That is $5.75/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $37.00/hour.
At $12.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $24,960 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $18,720/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Kearney is about $800/month, or $9,600/year.
Kearney does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Nebraska statewide minimum of $12.00/hour applies; Nebraska voters approved the increase and the rate adjusts over time.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Nebraska voters approved a state minimum wage of $12.00/hour, above the federal floor, and that rate applies in Kearney.