Kansas City, KS, is a diverse city with various thriving industries. Job seekers have plenty of new and exciting options for finding high-paying jobs in Kansas City. We’ll highlight the top-paying jobs and examine their potential earnings in Kansas City, KS, using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Keep reading to learn more about some of the highest-paying jobs in Kansas City.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists in Kansas City take home about $249,760 annually. Psychiatrists in the city are ranked as having the highest pay among all metros. These doctors assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
A psychiatrist has the qualifications to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. Aspiring psychiatrists must earn a bachelor’s degree followed by four years of medical school and a four-year residency program. Some psychiatrists also complete fellowships for additional training.
Family Medicine Physicians
Family medicine physicians in Kansas City earn a mean annual salary of $234,450. Unlike other medical specialties, family medicine physicians have the qualifications and experience to treat most ailments and provide comprehensive health care for people of all ages.
You must complete postgraduate studies to practice as a family medicine physician.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Obstetricians and gynecologists in Kansas City make an annual median salary of $274,090. These medical professionals specialize in new life and women’s reproductive health.
OB-GYNs require extensive medical training, including medical school, a four- or five-year residency period and a certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Chief Executives
Chief executives in Kansas City earn salaries of about $211,880 annually. They have the complex and unique responsibility of managing a company while maintaining a level of involvement with the workforce and other stakeholders.
As the highest management role in a company, chief executives often receive stock options, bonuses, and other work-related perks.
Dentists
Dentists in Kansas City earn a mean annual salary of $194,190. Dentists prevent, diagnose, and treat problems with the teeth, gums, and mouths. These medical professionals typically go through dental school after completing a bachelor’s degree program.
Dentists seeking to specialize further often go through additional years of schooling.
Truck Drivers
Class A truck driving jobs in Kansas City pay between $60,000- $250,000 annually. While truck driving is among the highest-paying jobs in Kansas City, pay varies significantly based on factors such as experience, a willingness to travel to remote locations, and the nature of the load a driver hauls.
Owner-operators, for example, make well over $200,000 as they’re essentially business owners. Specialty vehicle haulers earn more than mining industry drivers because the former transport special or high-value vehicles such as collectibles, luxury automobiles, race cars, and other expensive items.
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Architectural and engineering managers in Kansas City, KS earn around $147,120 annually. Many of these managers hold at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of industry experience.
Architects and engineers looking to get into management can boost their experience in business by completing a business-oriented master’s degree or training in project management.
Food Scientists and Technologists
Food scientists and technologists make about $138,600 a year. They use chemistry, biology, and other sciences to study the basic elements of food. A food scientist will often analyze food content, research ways to make processed food safe and healthy, and discover new food sources.
Prospects usually need a bachelor’s or doctoral degree to be food scientists and technologists.
Air Traffic Controllers
Air Traffic controllers earn an annual mean salary of $136,770. They manage traffic and keep the airspace safe. An air traffic controller’s job requires precise attention to detail and a good understanding of aviation regulations.
Prospects must meet the minimum qualifications and receive on-the-job training before becoming certified.
Marketing Managers
Marketing managers in Kansas earn a mean annual salary of $134,040. They plan and direct marketing programs and oversee the broader marketing team and campaigns. Overall, marketing managers assess market demand, identify the target market, and develop pricing strategies.
While applicants don’t necessarily need formal qualifications, it helps to have training in marketing.
Sales Managers
Sales managers in Kansas City earn an annual mean wage of about $146,980. A sales manager leads the sales team and runs a company’s day-to-day sales operations. Sales managers may require little formal training but they need strong numeracy, literacy, and people skills.
Bottom Line
When planning your next career move or considering a career change, start by looking at the training and certifications available in that field.
Some of the highest-paying jobs in Kansas City include professionals in the medical field: doctors, dentists, truck drivers, physicians, etc. While many high-paying jobs require undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, not all do.
Even within job categories, pay varies substantially between roles. For example, psychiatrists earn more than dentists. Similarly, liquids/tanker drivers make more than their mining industry counterparts.