Kansas Job Market: Top Industries, Salaries & Employers (2026)
Guide to the Kansas job market in 2026. Aerospace, agriculture, healthcare, and technology across Wichita and Kansas City.
Kansas combines aerospace manufacturing heritage with agricultural dominance and a strategically located logistics sector. Wichita builds more general aviation aircraft than any other city in the world, while the Kansas City metro (Overland Park, Olathe) offers suburban corporate campuses and a growing tech scene.
Top Industries
- Aerospace: Wichita builds 35% of all general aviation aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems (Boeing supplier), Textron Aviation (Cessna, Beechcraft), and Bombardier Learjet. 50,000+ aerospace workers. Average aerospace salary: $72,000.
- Agriculture: Kansas is #1 in wheat, #3 in cattle, and a top-5 sorghum producer. Agriculture contributes $70B+ annually. Cargill, Tyson, and National Beef Packing have major operations.
- Healthcare: University of Kansas Health System, Ascension Via Christi, and Stormont Vail Health. 170,000+ healthcare workers.
- Energy: Oil and gas in western Kansas, growing wind energy (KS is #2 in wind power by percentage). Evergy and other utilities investing in renewable transition.
- Technology: Overland Park and Olathe host Sprint/T-Mobile, Garmin (HQ), and Black & Veatch (HQ). Growing tech sector along I-435 corridor.
Major Employers
| Employer | Industry | Approx. KS Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit AeroSystems | Aerospace | 12,000+ |
| State of Kansas | Government | 25,000+ |
| University of Kansas Health | Healthcare | 14,000+ |
| Textron Aviation | Aerospace | 9,000+ |
| Garmin | Technology | 5,000+ |
| Fort Riley / U.S. Army | Military | 25,000+ (incl. active duty) |
| Sprint/T-Mobile | Telecom | 6,000+ |
Average Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Avg Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City (KS side) | $56,340 | 92 |
| Wichita | $50,870 | 84 |
| Topeka | $48,240 | 82 |
| Lawrence | $45,630 | 90 |
| Manhattan | $44,870 | 88 (K-State town) |
Growing Sectors
- Animal Health: Manhattan, KS is the "Animal Health Corridor" capital. NBAF (National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility) is a $1.25B federal lab opening here. Boehringer Ingelheim, Ceva, and Elanco have operations.
- Autonomous/Urban Air Mobility: Wichita's aerospace expertise positions it for the emerging eVTOL (electric air taxi) industry. Textron and Airbus are exploring urban air mobility.
- Wind Energy: Kansas generates 47% of electricity from wind — growing rapidly. Wind farms in western and central Kansas provide construction and operations jobs.
Remote Work Availability
Overland Park ranks among the best KC metro suburbs for remote workers with excellent broadband, amenities, and affordable housing (median home $300,000). Wichita is even more affordable (median home $175,000). T-Mobile/Sprint and Garmin offer hybrid arrangements.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Kansas?
$7.25/hour (federal floor). KC metro area employers typically pay $12-16+ entry level. Aerospace manufacturing starts at $16-22/hour.