Find a Job You Really Want In
If you’re a recent college graduate in 2026, you might be asking yourself: what’s next?
For many, the immediate answer is to secure a job. However, with evolving labor market trends and opportunities, the path to employment can be both exciting and challenging. To streamline your search, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 jobs for recent graduates in Kansas, reflecting the current state of the job market.
Here are the best entry-level positions you should consider:
- Epic Consultant
- Systems Administrator
- Counselor
- Database Administrator
- Estimator
- Web Developer
- Laboratory Technician
- Insurance Agent
- Business Analyst
- Cytotechnologist
Wondering about the inclusion of roles like Epic Consultant? Keep reading to discover how we curated this list and the rationale behind each job’s ranking.
How We Identified the Best Entry-Level Jobs in Kansas
In speaking with numerous recent graduates, we’ve gathered insights into what they prioritize in their first job. The typical criteria include:
- Job Availability
- Location
- Salary
- Growth Potential
- Work-Life Balance
Fortunately, we have access to rich datasets that inform these considerations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides insights on salaries by region, while each state’s Department of Labor reports on job growth. Additionally, ONet Online offers comprehensive information on job requirements.
We compiled data from these sources to create a comprehensive database for various professions. Our focus was on the following criteria:
- Location quotient: Indicates the prevalence of specific jobs in Kansas.
- Only considering roles that require a college degree.
- Average annual entry-level salary.
- Projected industry growth over the next decade.
By refining our dataset to include only jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree, we narrowed it down to 22 professions for ranking.
Each job was ranked based on the criteria from 1 to 22, with 1 indicating the highest score. We then calculated an overall “Job Score” for each position by averaging its rankings.
Finally, we ranked all jobs according to their “Job Score,” with 1 being the most favorable.
Your First Job Awaits
Graduating from college can be daunting, but it’s also an exhilarating time filled with endless possibilities. The job market is waiting for you, and with our list, you’ll find numerous opportunities that suit your ambitions.
Here’s a closer look at the best entry-level jobs available for recent college graduates in the Sunflower State.
Detailed List of the Best Entry-Level Jobs in Kansas for Recent College Graduates
| Rank | Job | Growth % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epic Consultant | 21.29% |
| 2 | Systems Administrator | 7.02% |
| 3 | Counselor | 20.0% |
| 4 | Database Administrator | 14.14% |
| 5 | Estimator | 13.55% |
| 6 | Web Developer | 21.54% |
| 7 | Laboratory Technician | 17.9% |
| 8 | Insurance Agent | 13.32% |
| 9 | Business Analyst | 17.62% |
| 10 | Cytotechnologist | 3.31% |
| 11 | Coach | 11.86% |
| 12 | Kindergarten Teacher | 9.79% |
| 13 | Process Engineer | 8.43% |
| 14 | Sales Representative | 8.15% |
| 15 | Case Manager | 8.63% |
| 16 | Event Coordinator | 27.66% |
| 17 | Programmer | 9.62% |
| 18 | Recruiter | 4.41% |
| 19 | Legal Assistant | 16.58% |
| 20 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialist | -7.84% |
| 21 | Camp Counselor | 6.21% |
| 22 | Account Executive | -5.59% |
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.
