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Top 5 Industries for Employment Opportunities in Kansas for 2026
When you think of Kansas, you might envision stunning landscapes, delightful home-cooked meals, and various attractions. However, Kansas also boasts a robust economy and a growing job market that has evolved significantly in recent years.
At Zippia, we dive deep into local economies to identify which jobs and industries are thriving. This insight helps job seekers and those considering relocating for work understand what to expect.
This year, we focused on uncovering the most promising industries in Kansas.
After analyzing the latest data, we present the top five industries for jobs in Kansas:
Continue reading to discover how we identified these outstanding industries.
If you’re interested in further exploring the Kansas job landscape, check out these articles:
- The 10 Best Places in Kansas to Get a Job
- The 100 Lowest Paying Jobs in Kansas
- The 10 Best Jobs in Kansas for Recent College Graduates
How We Determined the Best Industries in Kansas for Employment
We trust that the data is a reliable guide to understanding job market trends. To identify the top industries, we gathered extensive data on the Kansas job market.
We evaluated the following criteria to determine the best industries:
- Average Salary
- Job Availability
- Average Stress Level of Jobs in the Industry
Data sources include the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor.
Stress levels were assessed using self-reported data from professionals in each field, ranking industries from 1 to 22, with 1 being the most favorable.
We compiled these rankings to create a ‘Best Industry’ index, naming Architecture and Engineering as the top industry in Kansas.
For a detailed table of the data, see below. Now, let’s explore the reasons why these industries excel in job opportunities.
Detailed List of the Best Industries in Kansas
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architecture And Engineering | $75,640 |
| 2 | Education, Training, And Library | $44,620 |
| 3 | Healthcare Practitioners And Technical | $71,050 |
| 4 | Production And Manufacturing | $38,320 |
| 5 | Management | $100,230 |
| 6 | Office And Administrative Support | $34,110 |
| 7 | Computer And Mathematical | $72,440 |
| 8 | Business And Financial Operations | $67,140 |
| 9 | Installation, Maintenance, And Repair | $45,460 |
| 10 | Legal | $79,670 |
| 11 | Construction And Extraction | $44,340 |
| 12 | Personal Care And Service | $23,840 |
| 13 | Transportation | $35,520 |
| 14 | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, And Media | $43,490 |
| 15 | Healthcare Support | $27,470 |
| 16 | Life, Physical, And Social Science | $62,650 |
| 17 | Community And Social Service | $40,750 |
| 18 | Sales | $37,990 |
| 19 | Food Preparation And Serving Related | $20,690 |
| 20 | Farming, Fishing, And Forestry | $31,980 |
| 21 | Building And Grounds Cleaning And Maintenance | $26,280 |
| 22 | Protective Service | $39,050 |
Summary of the Best Industries in Kansas
In conclusion, Architecture and Engineering stands out as the leading industry in Kansas for job seekers in 2026.
Conversely, the Protective Service industry ranks as the least favorable due to lower wages and limited job availability.

