City Town Info

Topeka Employment

Employment and Industries in the Topeka, Kansas Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Topeka than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Topeka.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Topeka.
  • A list of any large public companies in Topeka.

Most Popular Jobs in Topeka, Kansas Metro Area (2006 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses2,60051,440$39,220 - 66,30024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,66034,920$20,920 - 48,80014%95%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education1,09037,000$21,570 - 52,7706%96%
4Accountants and auditors1,07049,630$34,170 - 68,12018%79%
5Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education82034,320$20,420 - 47,46011%95%
6Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products72057,900$33,670 - 91,4408%51%
7Lawyers71082,770$49,300 - 011%99%
8Chief executives62094,700$28,540 - 02%65%
9Management analysts49054,750$40,220 - 76,50022%78%
10Social and human service assistants44024,910$18,140 - 33,20034%58%
11Computer programmers44056,120$41,510 - 72,8200%73%
12Financial managers37075,910$43,790 - 115,72013%60%
13Computer systems analysts34062,140$43,200 - 82,72029%68%
14Civil engineers33064,200$49,020 - 82,60018%87%
15Public relations specialists32045,980$29,040 - 69,01018%81%
16Managers, all other29078,170$41,640 - 120,6207%55%
17Medical and health services managers26069,380$39,640 - 106,76016%57%
18Network and computer systems administrators23049,340$32,650 - 74,36027%50%
19Training and development specialists21049,540$24,530 - 71,01018%56%
20Market research analysts20048,130$38,020 - 61,80020%82%
21Medical and clinical laboratory technicians19027,540$20,820 - 36,61015%51%
22Education administrators, elementary and secondary school19064,360$49,880 - 81,8908%78%
23Computer and information systems managers19079,450$56,030 - 109,63016%73%
24Environmental scientists and specialists, including health18055,450$43,600 - 68,56025%93%
25Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other17051,490$36,860 - 72,08017%56%
26Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation17049,830$30,190 - 80,5505%58%
27Librarians17045,650$34,220 - 58,3004%85%
28Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products17057,140$30,340 - 91,81012%51%
29Physical therapists17059,320$34,690 - 81,42027%89%
30Detectives and criminal investigators16049,830$35,120 - 71,09017%54%
31Mental health counselors16028,650$13,910 - 39,25030%73%
32Pharmacists16086,760$77,230 - 101,23022%97%
33Mental health and substance abuse social workers15036,500$26,540 - 46,86030%77%
34Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents15059,730$26,010 - 116,75025%67%
35Network systems and data communications analysts15050,040$30,380 - 73,12053%57%
36Sales managers150101,250$45,430 - 010%69%
37Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists14037,120$24,530 - 61,62018%56%
38Coaches and scouts14022,700$12,180 - 37,92015%60%
39Educational, vocational, and school counselors14042,600$28,500 - 55,95013%73%
40Computer software engineers, systems software13060,560$42,870 - 81,06028%85%
41Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other13026,380$16,480 - 44,81015%72%
42Vocational education teachers, secondary school13042,960$33,360 - 54,5400%96%
43Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school13040,360$30,760 - 54,04020%87%
44Occupational therapists12058,630$40,010 - 82,08023%90%
45Legislators12029,680$18,580 - 51,6401%65%
46Financial analysts12060,460$36,100 - 92,44034%87%
47Engineering managers12088,070$61,380 - 114,1107%84%
48Survey researchers12041,630$27,490 - 60,05016%82%
49Advertising sales agents11031,240$17,260 - 58,25020%56%
50Instructional coordinators11055,680$35,540 - 71,66023%79%
51Community and social service specialists, all other11034,290$20,130 - 56,13025%58%
52Child, family, and school social workers11031,140$25,060 - 40,04019%77%
53Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists10069,930$33,560 - 120,63016%99%
54Marketing managers90105,350$64,630 - 014%69%
55Social and community service managers9052,550$29,280 - 86,01025%72%
56Special education teachers, secondary school9045,530$34,040 - 57,0609%87%
57Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists8051,320$31,730 - 85,42018%56%
58Social workers, all other8047,130$34,350 - 68,73018%77%
59Self-enrichment education teachers8029,730$13,420 - 52,90023%54%
60Occupational health and safety specialists8051,030$37,410 - 66,9708%72%
61Speech-language pathologists8054,880$36,970 - 82,29011%98%
62Physician assistants8074,840$55,700 - 94,74027%67%
63Medical and public health social workers7040,590$29,550 - 52,94024%77%
64Electrical engineers7077,440$49,570 - 105,6706%81%
65Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors6035,640$26,530 - 45,32034%73%
66Sales and related workers, all other6036,250$15,610 - 77,35014%62%
67Architects, except landscape and naval5060,610$33,840 - 90,12018%88%
68Special education teachers, middle school5038,650$30,630 - 49,58016%87%
69Writers and authors5035,280$21,690 - 45,93013%84%
70Insurance underwriters5045,500$23,150 - 72,2206%53%
71Floral designers5021,490$14,940 - 29,4100%55%
72Actuaries5079,050$50,350 - 135,95024%99%
73Recreational therapists5036,000$19,490 - 61,2804%77%
74Veterinarians5059,160$46,790 - 76,85035%100%
75Financial specialists, all other5051,720$25,990 - 81,80012%50%
76Interior designers5044,100$27,960 - 72,22020%55%
77Mechanical engineers5082,750$44,300 - 127,3104%78%
78Public relations managers5084,380$56,650 - 122,90017%75%
79Surveyors4040,510$22,000 - 67,09024%82%
80Environmental engineers4073,090$55,390 - 95,14025%86%
81Reporters and correspondents4036,670$15,890 - 75,3701%85%
82Chemists4045,510$33,450 - 63,6409%93%
83Health educators4039,250$24,290 - 57,15026%58%
84Dietitians and nutritionists4046,930$36,470 - 61,4609%72%
85Purchasing managers4070,430$49,590 - 93,4603%57%
86Merchandise displayers and window trimmers4023,280$16,890 - 30,24011%55%
87Postmasters and mail superintendents4051,540$32,830 - 65,6200%55%
88Human resources managers, all other4075,850$55,170 - 96,80011%58%
89Tax preparers4027,330$16,310 - 39,9900%54%
90Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program3038,190$28,670 - 52,85024%78%
91Compensation and benefits managers3076,260$47,570 - 101,27012%58%
92Industrial engineers3057,030$41,060 - 80,78020%74%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,96022,220$13,090 - 35,79012%25%
2Cashiers2,61016,290$12,060 - 21,790-2%10%
3Executive secretaries and administrative assistants2,53034,690$26,160 - 48,12015%18%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,10015,360$11,800 - 20,25018%5%
5Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,84020,290$13,540 - 28,00015%4%
6Customer service representatives1,73027,820$18,880 - 40,59025%22%
7General and operations managers1,73072,940$36,020 - 116,4102%48%
8Office clerks, general1,68023,090$14,700 - 33,13013%19%
9Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,64028,640$18,760 - 40,16013%16%
10Stock clerks and order fillers1,60023,450$13,420 - 34,690-7%8%
11Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,49022,090$16,970 - 28,36018%7%
12First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,46039,420$21,880 - 58,9406%29%
13Waiters and waitresses1,37015,720$11,700 - 22,43011%14%
14Teacher assistants1,35018,540$12,450 - 24,58010%18%
15Personal and home care aides1,33017,760$14,100 - 22,29051%10%
16Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,24023,200$14,360 - 32,0901%18%
17Business operations specialists, all other1,19044,610$24,290 - 64,90021%49%
18Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses1,04034,460$27,120 - 43,50014%7%
19Maintenance and repair workers, general1,03033,040$19,000 - 49,68010%6%
20First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,02032,830$18,530 - 50,3404%25%
21Home health aides1,02022,050$15,530 - 31,01049%7%
22Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,01021,200$13,960 - 33,0502%5%
23Receptionists and information clerks97020,840$13,420 - 28,64017%13%
24Construction laborers96027,820$19,680 - 36,75011%5%
25Packers and packagers, hand92021,880$13,880 - 35,060-11%3%
26Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer88031,550$22,010 - 45,08010%4%
27Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks79029,820$18,890 - 50,0904%6%
28Tellers70020,720$16,050 - 26,50014%16%
29Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders70032,920$20,330 - 44,570-4%5%
30Fire fighters69035,350$14,310 - 57,40012%18%
31Automotive service technicians and mechanics62033,320$20,910 - 48,83014%4%
32Food preparation workers61015,350$11,750 - 20,04015%7%
33Carpenters61033,850$24,760 - 43,94010%6%
34First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers61050,390$34,950 - 68,9709%10%
35Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators58035,790$25,590 - 49,1708%3%
36First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers57024,960$15,950 - 35,57011%14%
37Maids and housekeeping cleaners57017,090$12,370 - 22,30013%5%
38Correctional officers and jailers55030,550$25,510 - 39,58017%11%
39Cooks, institution and cafeteria53021,200$13,700 - 31,43011%5%
40Police and sheriff's patrol officers51039,150$20,810 - 54,99011%33%
41First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers51050,040$33,090 - 71,3007%13%
42Computer support specialists48041,400$25,730 - 58,60013%43%
43Security guards48024,370$15,030 - 39,86017%13%
44Truck drivers, light or delivery services47028,600$16,440 - 42,6308%4%
45Child care workers47016,850$11,950 - 22,96018%15%
46Cooks, fast food46013,510$11,430 - 15,7708%5%
47Counter and rental clerks46020,450$12,450 - 30,07023%16%
48Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters46046,960$27,140 - 60,33011%4%
49First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers43052,730$34,740 - 76,840-4%15%
50Bus drivers, school42028,230$19,340 - 37,7809%4%
51Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop42013,640$11,550 - 17,45010%8%
52Cooks, restaurant41018,110$12,610 - 22,82012%5%
53Electricians37044,410$30,530 - 57,9107%7%
54Eligibility interviewers, government programs36033,000$26,250 - 43,5303%38%
55Bill and account collectors36024,020$19,310 - 29,36023%13%
56Dishwashers35014,410$11,720 - 17,84010%3%
57Bartenders35016,000$11,840 - 22,16011%17%
58Billing and posting clerks and machine operators35026,270$19,810 - 34,1304%15%
59Landscaping and groundskeeping workers35019,780$12,960 - 28,78018%6%
60All other information and record clerks34024,300$12,550 - 39,160-12%21%
61Medical secretaries33027,090$20,260 - 38,78017%18%
62Postal service mail carriers33042,890$33,430 - 52,0501%11%
63Cleaners of vehicles and equipment32017,670$12,040 - 24,96014%3%
64Industrial truck and tractor operators31028,880$16,190 - 45,410-1%2%
65Civil engineering technicians30039,480$27,600 - 53,37010%18%
66Sales representatives, services, all other29052,990$24,060 - 88,88028%48%
67Team assemblers29024,330$14,540 - 39,4300%5%
68Couriers and messengers29019,170$14,390 - 24,4700%12%
69Loan officers26042,760$31,480 - 61,27012%49%
70Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists26024,270$12,180 - 44,69012%6%
71Legal secretaries25024,040$17,420 - 34,50012%18%
72Dental assistants25027,040$18,060 - 36,48029%9%
73Recreation workers23019,650$12,190 - 28,84013%47%
74Pharmacy technicians23025,450$19,390 - 32,33032%16%
75Insurance sales agents22041,130$20,020 - 72,11013%45%
76Industrial machinery mechanics21042,480$28,170 - 62,8209%5%
77Driver/sales workers20030,550$18,560 - 43,680-4%4%
78Payroll and timekeeping clerks20033,140$23,730 - 44,8003%18%
79Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products20053,920$32,500 - 81,4800%42%
80Cost estimators20053,260$34,800 - 86,48019%32%
81Parts salespersons20028,500$18,190 - 41,960-1%6%
82First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators19049,080$29,110 - 70,98010%17%
83Amusement and recreation attendants19014,850$11,670 - 17,81024%22%
84Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop19016,510$11,970 - 23,42010%17%
85Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators18041,130$23,740 - 49,580-7%12%
86Electrical power-line installers and repairers18050,980$38,660 - 61,2007%6%
87Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service18025,360$17,330 - 35,320-11%9%
88Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers18030,790$20,680 - 40,5603%25%
89Helpers--production workers18021,680$16,060 - 28,2800%4%
90Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18016,510$12,380 - 20,51017%14%
91Medical records and health information technicians18030,150$20,450 - 40,26018%12%
92Data entry keyers18022,810$17,340 - 30,200-4%18%
93Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers18014,760$11,760 - 19,73012%6%
94Paralegals and legal assistants18036,460$25,470 - 53,28022%45%
95Machinists18037,760$25,150 - 54,450-2%3%
96Library assistants, clerical18023,150$15,070 - 32,7808%37%
97Food servers, nonrestaurant18013,850$11,530 - 17,36016%9%
98Cement masons and concrete finishers17033,450$24,340 - 45,32011%2%
99Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers17034,240$21,300 - 48,300-6%14%
100Tire repairers and changers17019,420$14,900 - 23,65020%6%
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Jobs More Common Near Topeka Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Survey researchers41,63012011.9
Eligibility interviewers, government programs33,0003606.2
Meter readers, utilities26,0801205.6
Civil engineering technicians39,4803004.9
Legislators29,6801204.6
Fire fighters35,3506904.5
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders38,7901604.3
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other26,3801304.2
Electrical power-line installers and repairers50,9801803.8
Physical therapist assistants41,4301503.8
Couriers and messengers19,1702903.7
Correctional officers and jailers30,5505503.6
Personal and home care aides17,7601,3303.4
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health55,4501803.2
Prepress technicians and workers33,1401503.1
Bindery workers22,4401202.8
Vocational education teachers, secondary school42,9601302.8
Library assistants, clerical23,1501802.8
Chief executives94,7006202.7
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders32,9207002.7
Tire repairers and changers19,4201702.7
Mental health counselors28,6501602.7
Court, municipal, and license clerks31,3701302.5
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives56,1101102.5
Detectives and criminal investigators49,8301602.5
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators35,7905802.2
Cooks, institution and cafeteria21,2005302.2
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants34,6902,5302.1
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians47,1701402.1
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses34,4601,0402
Library technicians29,8801402
Mental health and substance abuse social workers36,5001502
Social and human service assistants24,9104402
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines39,2501602
All other information and record clerks24,3003401.9
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education34,3208201.9
Home health aides22,0501,0201.9
Public relations specialists45,9803201.9
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians27,5401901.9
Nonfarm animal caretakers15,9801501.9
Occupational therapists58,6301201.8
Community and social service specialists, all other34,2901101.8
Civil engineers64,2003301.7
Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers30,7901801.6
Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service25,3601801.6
Elementary school teachers, except special education34,9201,6601.6
Tellers20,7207001.6
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education37,0001,0901.6
Librarians45,6501701.6
Highway maintenance workers27,9301001.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Topeka, Kansas Metro Area (2006 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders38,7901.35160
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders32,9201.31700
Driver/sales workers30,5501.24200
Packers and packagers, hand21,8801.15920
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers44,2801.15140
Dental hygienists67,9701.14140
Bus drivers, school28,2301.14420
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks29,8201.12790
Home health aides22,0501.121,020
Sales managers101,2501.11150
Food service managers50,0001.1160
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers72,4701.09120
Truck drivers, light or delivery services28,6001.08470
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products53,9201.08200
Production, planning, and expediting clerks41,5401.07140
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters46,9601.07460
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products57,9001.07720
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists24,2701.07260
Stock clerks and order fillers23,4501.071,600
Sales representatives, services, all other52,9901.06290
Library technicians29,8801.06140
Machinists37,7601.06180
Security guards24,3701.06480
Payroll and timekeeping clerks33,1401.06200
File clerks23,1701.06120
Training and development specialists49,5401.06210
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers34,2401.05170
Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service25,3601.05180
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers52,7301.05430
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping34,5101.05120
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation49,8301.04170
Computer support specialists41,4001.04480
Medical records and health information technicians30,1501.04180
Electrical power-line installers and repairers50,9801.04180
Library assistants, clerical23,1501.02180
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers19,0301.02110
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16,5101.02190
Industrial truck and tractor operators28,8801.02310
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians47,1701.02140
Maintenance and repair workers, general33,0401.021,030
Electricians44,4101.01370
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators41,1301.01180
Industrial machinery mechanics42,4801.01210
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other51,4901.01170
Managers, all other78,1701.01290
Switchboard operators, including answering service22,6801.01110
Physical therapist assistants41,4301.01150
Instructional coordinators55,6801.01110
Cost estimators53,2601.01200
Sheet metal workers39,9901140

Highest Paying Jobs in Topeka, Kansas Metro Area (2006 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other138,320 
Marketing managers105,35090
Personal financial advisors103,130 
Sales managers101,250150
Chief executives94,700620
Engineering managers88,070120
Pharmacists86,760160
Public relations managers84,38050
Lawyers82,770710
Mechanical engineers82,75050
Computer and information systems managers79,450190
Actuaries79,05050
Managers, all other78,170290
Electrical engineers77,44070
Compensation and benefits managers76,26030
Financial managers75,910370
Human resources managers, all other75,85040
Physician assistants74,84080
Environmental engineers73,09040
General and operations managers72,9401,730
Computer software engineers, applications72,570 
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers72,470120
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers71,87080
Construction managers71,230140
Purchasing managers70,43040
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists69,930100
Medical and health services managers69,380260
Dental hygienists67,970140
Industrial production managers65,06050
Property, real estate, and community association managers64,41070
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school64,360190
Civil engineers64,200330
Computer specialists, all other62,210 
Computer systems analysts62,140340
Architects, except landscape and naval60,61050
Computer software engineers, systems software60,560130
Financial analysts60,460120
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents59,730150
Physical therapists59,320170
Veterinarians59,16050
Occupational therapists58,630120
Database administrators58,520 
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products57,900720
Administrative services managers57,900120
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products57,140170
Industrial engineers57,03030
Computer programmers56,120440
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives56,110110
Instructional coordinators55,680110
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health55,450180

Large Companies Headquartered in Topeka

CompanyRevenue 2005 (billions)
Payless Shoesource2.7
Westar Energy1.6

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