Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

I would say Cadets are not yet officers and saluting them belittles the accomplishments of standing Officer. Why would an Officer want to be placed at the same level as a cadet? On the other hand, I was brought up to say "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing anyone. Addressing a Cadet in "Cadet name" is most appropriate.

The “smart” cadets FULLY understand they are complete dumbasses in comparison to most every NCO they will meet, and in order to grow and succeed, they need to pay attention and learn from those with actual experience in the field. The rest will rarely succeed in their careers unless they let go of their egos and change their ways.

During my Navy career, there were many times we had a few Midshipmen on board for several weeks to gain practical fleet experience until they went back to their “book learnin” at the Academy.

We were always told to pay them the respect they deserved and not embarrass or harass them in any way. If they were civil and respectful to us in return, we provided information they needed, answered their questions, allowing them to operate equipment when appropriate. Those who displayed any arrogance or tried to prove they knew more than they actually did, were soon told by leadership to “stand in that corner, pay attention to what the professionals were doing, and you may end up learning something from this experience. And for God’s sake, DON’T touch anything!!!”

My experience in the Navy with midshipmen was they receive the honors of an officer but not the authority. We were told not to take instructions from them.

AR 600-20, look up order of precedence by rank.
It's in chapter 1, depending on the publication year you are reading its section 1-7, 1-8, or 1-9 I think.

According to the regs... yes... but woe unto the cadet who says that to any battle hardened NCO. Gonna be a rough day.

NO. A Cadet is still in training. Cadets are students in school they are not active Duty Commissioned. I believe where some of the confusion comes in is as Cadets They have both Cadet NCO ranks and Cadet Officer Ranks. That being said when a Cadet is assigned to a Unit during training faze they are treated as a 2nd LT. However are not yet Commissioned and Swore the Oath. They are there to learn not lead. Pretty hard to be an Officer with out commission and swareing in. JMTC

all cadets are as equal as an e-5 set. and the pay is the same also

When I was a 2nd Lt in AMEDD basic it was explained to us this way.” The enlisted personnel are NOT in your chain of command. If they tell you to do something please be advised It be hooves you to do it. If you don’t do it or try to pull rank some one who far outranks you will get you squared away”!

Yeah... I was a Midshipman. Unless things have changed drastically, I raise the urban myth flag.

There may have been the oddball cadet or midshipmen who verbalized that cadets and midshipmen outrank NCO's. He/she would pretty quickly find himself/herself ostracized by any other cadet or midshipmen in the radius of a tactical nuke, and given a lesson in theory vs reality by any SNCO or Junior Officer in earshot.

One of the first things you learn as a cadet or midshipman is that regardless of "rank" if you are not in the chain of command, you better have all your ducks lined up in a row, dress right dress; before you stick your finger in somebody else's chain of command. There better be an over riding reason why you don't keep it to yourself until you can talk to the appropriate level person IN the chain of command. The next thing you learn is that you are a damn fool at any rank if you can consult with your senior enlisted adviser and don't.

This question of who outranks who takes on new meaning when you consider the situation.
As example; a Sergeant is standing guard and the Colonel approaches his post. The Sergeant orders the Colonel to halt. It's a lawful command, and the Colonel halts. The Sergeant shows the Colonel respect, but he is in charge. He asked the questions and he decide whether to allow the Colonel to pass. There are cases during nuclear weapons convoys where I as a technical Sergeant had the authority to override the base commander about whether the weapon could be moved, it was inherent in my responsibilities, according to the regulation. Rank is always showing respect, but some positions hold authority Regardless of rank.
I would argue most situations where cadets are interacting with senior NCOs the senior NCOs are in charge.