Jobs · Missouri

Jobs and Salaries in Kansas City, MO

Estimated salaries for 70 common jobs in Kansas City, with cost-of-living adjusted figures (0.92× US national average).

Working in Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri has a cost-of-living index of 0.92× US national average — meaning typical wages adjust accordingly. Salaries shown above represent the population median for each role; entry-level positions often pay 25–35% below median, and senior or specialized roles can earn 40–60%+ more.

Top earners in Kansas City cluster in: Anesthesiologist, Surgeon, Psychiatrist. These tend to require advanced credentials or significant experience, but they also drive competition for talent — meaning recruiters in these fields are often willing to negotiate above-median offers.

Real take-home pay in Kansas City

The salaries above are gross — before federal income tax (~14% effective at typical incomes), FICA (7.65%), Missouri state tax (varies), and any city local tax. For a precise after-tax calculation in Kansas City, use our Kansas City Paycheck Calculator with your specific filing status, 401(k), and deductions.

Compare with other cities

Considering relocating? Use our Kansas City cost of living comparison to see how Kansas City stacks up against 49 other US metros. Higher-cost cities pay more nominal salary but cost-of-living often offsets the gain — sometimes a lower-COL city delivers better real purchasing power.

Related pages

Kansas City Cost of Living Kansas City Paycheck Calculator Salary Calculator Best Cities for Software Engineers Income Tax Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest-paying job in Kansas City?
Based on our cost-of-living-adjusted estimates, Anesthesiologists earn the most among the 70 roles we track in Kansas City — approximately $322,000/year. Top 5: Anesthesiologist ($322,000); Surgeon ($257,600); Psychiatrist ($230,000); Physician (Doctor) ($211,600); Investment Banker ($184,000).
What's a typical professional salary in Kansas City?
For a representative mid-tier role like Data Analyst, the estimated median in Kansas City is approximately $77,300/year — about 8.0% below the US national equivalent. Real salaries vary significantly by experience, employer, and specific role.
How accurate are these salary estimates?
These are population-level estimates: US BLS national medians × Kansas City's cost-of-living multiplier from BEA Regional Price Parities. Real wages vary 30%+ by experience, employer, and specific specialization. Cross-reference with Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and BLS OEWS for your specific role.
Is Kansas City a good place to work?
Depends on the role and your priorities. Kansas City ranks higher for jobs in industries concentrated locally, and lower-COL cities often deliver better real purchasing power than nominal-pay-leading metros. See our Kansas City cost of living page for context.
What about taxes in Kansas City?
Federal tax + FICA apply nationwide. Missouri state tax depends on the state's structure. Some major metros (NYC, Philadelphia, Detroit, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, etc.) also levy a city income tax which reduces take-home further. Use our paycheck calculator for the city-specific calculation.