Highest Paying Jobs In Kansas City, MO For 2026
As we step into 2026, Kansas City continues to offer lucrative career opportunities across various sectors, including healthcare, technology, and finance. This updated guide highlights the highest-paying jobs in the Kansas City area, making it easier for job seekers to identify well-compensated careers that align with their skills and aspirations.
Using the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other reliable sources, we present the 20 highest-paying jobs in Kansas City for 2026. Most of these positions demand considerable experience, but there are also several well-paid entry-level roles available for candidates with the right educational qualifications.
The top position in Kansas City remains the Assistant Professor Of Surgery, boasting an average annual salary of $332,385, with entry-level salaries starting at $164,000.
Whether you’re contemplating a career transition, considering relocation to Kansas City, or a recent graduate mapping out your future, this guide to the highest-paying jobs and best industries in Kansas City will aid you in planning your next career move.
Here’s a quick overview of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Kansas City, Missouri:
Detailed list of highest paying jobs in Kansas City
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Professor Of Surgery | $332,385 | $164,000 |
| 2 | Rheumatologist | $329,325 | $160,000 |
| 3 | Cardiologist | $298,636 | $152,000 |
| 4 | Psychiatrist | $263,580 | $151,000 |
| 5 | Hematologist | $263,033 | $129,000 |
| 6 | Hospitalist Physician | $260,639 | $182,000 |
| 7 | Hospitalist | $257,149 | $166,000 |
| 8 | Pulmonary Physician | $256,243 | $135,000 |
| 9 | Operator And Truck Driver | $255,306 | $133,000 |
| 10 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | $253,647 | $150,000 |
| 11 | Allergist/Pediatric Pulmonologist | $253,061 | $122,000 |
| 12 | Physician | $248,970 | $129,000 |
| 13 | Neurologist | $236,797 | $132,000 |
| 14 | Medical Director | $235,225 | $149,000 |
| 15 | Nephrologist | $230,848 | $137,000 |
| 16 | Acute Care Physician | $225,007 | $126,000 |
| 17 | Allergist/Immunologist, Physician | $222,921 | $114,000 |
| 18 | Pediatric Cardiologist | $222,082 | $110,000 |
| 19 | Pediatrician | $220,621 | $139,000 |
| 20 | Family Medicine Physician | $214,260 | $123,000 |
How we determined the highest paid jobs in Kansas City for 2026
To identify the highest-paying jobs in Kansas City, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and other reputable sources.
Zippia’s data science team continuously monitors millions of job postings to extract published salaries. We correlate these salaries with companies, locations, and job titles from other databases.
Ultimately, we calculate a weighted average of these inputs to estimate the salary for specific job titles in Kansas City.
Our analysis encompassed salary data for over 1,000 job titles in Kansas City to pinpoint the top-paying professions.
Editor’s Note: Article updated for 2026. This marks our eighth ranking of the highest-paying jobs in Kansas City.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
