Wichita Employment

Employment and Industries in the Wichita, Kansas Area

Manufacturing is a major economic sector in Wichita, especially the manufacturing of aircraft. Jobs are provided in manufacturing industries including airplanes, outdoor recreational equipment and supplies, industrial-commercial machinery, fabricated metal products and instrumentation and controls. Other job providing manufacturing sectors are plastic and composite products, photographic equipment, meat products, chemicals, amusement rides and household appliances.

The county is one of the nation's top counties regarding concentration of manufacturing jobs and skilled labor. The area also includes numerous firms using high technology design. Healthcare is the second major economic factor and is a major employment sector. In addition, notable companies based in Wichita include Cargill Meat Solution, Coleman Company, Koch Industries and Chance Rides.

A list of the city's top job providers is shown below:

  • Spirit Aero Systems - Aircraft parts
  • Cessna Aircraft - Aircraft
  • Raytheon Aircraft Co - Aircraft
  • Hawker Beechcraft - Aircraft
  • USD 259 - Wichita - Public primary education
  • Via Christi Health System - Healthcare
  • State of Kansas - Government
  • City of Wichita - Government
  • Sedwick County - Government
  • Boeing Integrated Defense System - Aircraft modification
  • United States Government - Government
  • Bombardier Lear Jet - Aircraft
  • Koch Industries
  • Wichita State University
  • Wesley Medical Center
  • Catholic Diocese of Wichita - Primary Education
  • York Intl - Johnsons Controls - Residential HVAC Equipment
  • Wichita Clinic PA - Healthcare
  • USD 260 Derby - Public primary education
  • Cargill- Meat products
  • The Coleman Company - Recreational products

Some of the occupations more common in Wichita than most other cities are aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging and systems assemblers; aerospace engineering and operations technicians; avionics technicians, aerospace engineers, pattern makers, metal and plastic; pesticide handlers, sprayers and applicators, vegetation; aircraft mechanics and service technicians; and insulation workers, mechanical.

The top non-agricultural job providing sectors in Wichita are:

  • Manufacturing
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Government
  • Education and health services
  • Professional and business services
  • Financial activities

Pertinent information about Wichita Kansas: About 25% of the adult residents have achieved a bachelor's degree or better. The cost of living index in 2008 was 77.7 and the national average is 100. The estimated median household income in Wichita in 2007 was $43,000.

Wichita businesses collaborate with associations such as:

People interested in staying current with Wichita business activities may want to read the Wichita Business Journal.

Jobs in Wichita

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations303290$46,080$22.15100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations41440$36,980$17.7813.75
3Production Occupations33840$47,000$22.65.6
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations27880$22,300$10.728.7
5Sales and Related Occupations26820$39,360$18.929.5
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations20870$35,420$17.036.7
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations19410$45,630$21.946
8Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations18260$70,940$34.115.85
9Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations15030$49,070$23.593.75
10Business and Financial Operations Occupations14900$68,290$32.835.35
11Construction and Extraction Occupations14580$43,040$20.694.6
12Healthcare Support Occupations13410$27,650$13.292.85
13Management Occupations12170$102,470$49.276.35
14Fast Food and Counter Workers9950$19,840$9.542.45
15Retail Salespersons8320$29,370$14.122.7
16Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations7900$28,320$13.623.6
17Architecture and Engineering Occupations7340$85,920$41.311.7
18Cashiers7080$21,870$10.522.2
19Customer Service Representatives6880$33,860$16.281.75
20Personal Care and Service Occupations6550$28,670$13.784.65
21Registered Nurses6010$57,470$27.631.95
22Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive5960$34,020$16.361.4
23Computer and Mathematical Occupations5920$70,280$33.793
24Protective Service Occupations5890$41,420$19.912.2
25Waiters and Waitresses5700$20,630$9.921.65
26Home Health and Personal Care Aides5400$22,980$11.050
27Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners4490$26,080$12.541.5
28Stockers and Order Fillers4380$29,510$14.191.25
29Nursing Assistants4170$25,940$12.470.95
30Community and Social Service Occupations4020$42,660$20.511.75
31Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations3810$45,350$21.81.8
32Office Clerks, General3470$29,470$14.171.9
33General and Operations Managers3460$99,920$48.041.5
34Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks3310$37,120$17.851.05
35Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators3310$35,520$17.080.8
36Maintenance and Repair Workers, General3170$37,750$18.150.9
37First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers3080$55,140$26.510.95
38Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers3070$43,800$21.061.2
39Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers2840$53,080$25.520.35
40Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand2780$32,780$15.761.8
41Accountants and Auditors2710$67,420$32.410.9
42Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products2660$70,200$33.750.85
43Cooks, Restaurant2630$26,050$12.520.9
44Construction Laborers2450$33,400$16.060.9
45First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers2440$32,920$15.830.6
46First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers2410$44,730$21.50.95
47Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel2340$59,400$28.560.7
48Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2270$78,080$37.540.7
49Receptionists and Information Clerks2230$29,000$13.940.7
50Substitute Teachers, Short-Term2190$32,750$15.750.4
51Aerospace Engineers1980$107,080$51.480
52Light Truck Drivers1880$35,650$17.140.6
53Industrial Machinery Mechanics1780$56,540$27.180.2
54Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity1780$28,650$13.770.3
55Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks1780$54,380$26.140.2
56First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1730$63,220$30.390.4
57Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses1670$44,440$21.370.5
58Machinists1670$41,460$19.930.2
59First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers1660$65,410$31.450.4
60Computer User Support Specialists1590$44,320$21.310.4
61Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers1590$46,200$22.210.3
62Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1530$61,500$29.570.8
63Medical Assistants1460$31,160$14.980.45
64Buyers and Purchasing Agents1430$67,980$32.680.25
65Carpenters1410$37,790$18.170.6
66Legal Occupations1400$68,820$33.090.8
67Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers1350$92,240$44.340.65
68Electricians1340$52,830$25.40.45
69Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1340$31,200$150.75
70Security Guards1340$29,710$14.280.7
71First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers1330$64,570$31.050.3
72Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators1320$38,630$18.570.25
73Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1300$22,800$10.960.9
74Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers1230$49,640$23.870.4
75Industrial Engineers1220$83,880$40.330.2
76Food Preparation Workers1210$23,710$11.40.5
77Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians1200$60,020$28.860.1
78Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1200$40,090$19.270.5
79Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists1200$61,220$29.430.45
80Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1200$34,730$16.70.4
81Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants1180$54,930$26.410.35
82Tellers1170$28,100$13.510.25
83Billing and Posting Clerks1150$35,630$17.130.3
84Bartenders1120$20,710$9.960.4
85Human Resources Specialists1120$60,640$29.150.4
86Packers and Packagers, Hand1120$20,800$100.4
87Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria1100$24,610$11.830.3
88Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants1080$35,430$17.030.4
89Driver/Sales Workers1050$32,840$15.790.3
90Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment1040$24,570$11.810.3
91Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers1040$20,220$9.720.3
92Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric1020$147,740$71.030.3
93First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors1010$54,700$26.30.3
94Financial Managers960$127,910$61.50.4
95Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters960$45,150$21.710.3
96Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists940$26,100$12.550.4
97Social and Human Service Assistants940$33,210$15.970.3
98Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders910$44,650$21.470.1
99Pharmacy Technicians900$34,100$16.390.3
100Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop880$18,910$9.090.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Wichita Colleges
Wichita colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Wichita Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,080303,290
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,98041,440
Production Occupations$47,00033,840
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$22,30027,880
Sales and Related Occupations$39,36026,820
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,42020,870
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$45,63019,410
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$70,94018,260
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,07015,030
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$68,29014,900
Construction and Extraction Occupations$43,04014,580
Healthcare Support Occupations$27,65013,410
Management Occupations$102,47012,170
Fast Food and Counter Workers$19,8409,950
Retail Salespersons$29,3708,320
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,3207,900
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$85,9207,340
Cashiers$21,8707,080
Customer Service Representatives$33,8606,880
Personal Care and Service Occupations$28,6706,550
Registered Nurses$57,4706,010
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,0205,960
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$70,2805,920
Protective Service Occupations$41,4205,890
Waiters and Waitresses$20,6305,700
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$22,9805,400
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26,0804,490
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,5104,380
Nursing Assistants$25,9404,170
Community and Social Service Occupations$42,6604,020
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$45,3503,810
Office Clerks, General$29,4703,470
General and Operations Managers$99,9203,460
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,1203,310
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$35,5203,310
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$37,7503,170
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$55,1403,080
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$43,8003,070
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$53,0802,840
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$32,7802,780
Accountants and Auditors$67,4202,710
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,2002,660
Cooks, Restaurant$26,0502,630
Construction Laborers$33,4002,450
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$32,9202,440
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,7302,410
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$59,4002,340
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$78,0802,270
Receptionists and Information Clerks$29,0002,230
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$32,7502,190

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Wichita, Kansas Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,080303,290
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,98041,440
Production Occupations$47,00033,840
Sales and Related Occupations$39,36026,820
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,42020,870
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$45,63019,410
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$70,94018,260
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,07015,030
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$68,29014,900
Construction and Extraction Occupations$43,04014,580
Healthcare Support Occupations$27,65013,410
Management Occupations$102,47012,170
Retail Salespersons$29,3708,320
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,3207,900
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$85,9207,340
Customer Service Representatives$33,8606,880
Personal Care and Service Occupations$28,6706,550
Registered Nurses$57,4706,010
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,0205,960
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$70,2805,920
Protective Service Occupations$41,4205,890
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26,0804,490
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,5104,380
Nursing Assistants$25,9404,170
Community and Social Service Occupations$42,6604,020
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$45,3503,810
Office Clerks, General$29,4703,470
General and Operations Managers$99,9203,460
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,1203,310
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$35,5203,310
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$37,7503,170
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$55,1403,080
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$43,8003,070
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$53,0802,840
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$32,7802,780
Accountants and Auditors$67,4202,710
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,2002,660
Cooks, Restaurant$26,0502,630
Construction Laborers$33,4002,450
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$32,9202,440
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,7302,410
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$59,4002,340
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$78,0802,270
Receptionists and Information Clerks$29,0002,230
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$32,7502,190
Aerospace Engineers$107,0801,980
Light Truck Drivers$35,6501,880
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$56,5401,780
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$28,6501,780
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$54,3801,780

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