Keyboard Layout on Mac Start up is not my main Keyboard

Go to system preferences > users and groups > login options and check the box for showing the input menu on login (if you have not already done so).

These pages may have some useful ideas

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/410580/change-the-default-keyboard-input-when-logging-into-macos-big-sur/433656#433656

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/393662/how-to-change-the-default-macos-login-window-keyboard-layout

diegotheplantboy wrote: I thought perhaps it was a hierarchical order within the settings — similar to the ordering of Wi-Fi networks — but I am not able to move them at all in a way that shows qwerty has priority.

That list doesn't play any role regarding which keyboard is active of has priority, it's just a list.

Do you login automatically or use a password each time?

Hello diegotheplantboy,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. You've done a great job trying to get this figured out. Please contact Apple Support for further assistance. Contact - Official Apple Support

Have a nice day!

diegotheplantboy wrote:

i type my password

Is the keyboard which is active when you do that US or one of the others?