Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Kansas
29 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Kansas, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $58.08 | $120,810 | $78.43 | 2,960 | 16th of 51 | +21.2% | 5% above |
| 2 | Lineman | $48.86 | $101,620 | $59.12 | 1,610 | 23rd of 51 | +9.3% | 7% above |
| 3 | Elevator mechanic | $40.75 | $84,760 | $68.96 | 70 | 31st of 37 | -28.5% | 23% below |
| 4 | Millwright | $38.31 | $79,690 | $46.80 | 840 | 6th of 48 | -9.9% | 21% above |
| 5 | Wind turbine technician | $37.62 | $78,240 | $45.42 | 330 | 2nd of 25 | +4.7% | 22% above |
| 6 | Crane operator | $37.07 | $77,100 | $47.84 | 780 | 18th of 50 | +0.4% | 13% above |
| 7 | Construction supervisor | $36.91 | $76,780 | $54.55 | 8,940 | 37th of 51 | -0.1% | 4% below |
| 8 | Boilermaker | $34.70 | $72,170 | $46.26 | 70 | 28th of 37 | +1.0% | 6% below |
| 9 | Electrician | $31.66 | $65,860 | $46.55 | 6,350 | 23rd of 51 | -4.3% | 4% above |
| 10 | Plumber | $31.36 | $65,220 | $52.54 | 4,590 | 22nd of 51 | -2.7% | 2% above |
| 11 | Sheet metal worker | $30.13 | $62,670 | $52.18 | 1,730 | 24th of 50 | +18.0% | 1% above |
| 12 | HVAC technician | $29.07 | $60,460 | $40.14 | 3,770 | 29th of 51 | -0.9% | 1% below |
| 13 | Diesel mechanic | $28.59 | $59,460 | $38.94 | 3,300 | 34th of 51 | +7.1% | 4% below |
| 14 | Brickmason | $28.47 | $59,220 | $39.46 | 330 | 34th of 50 | -18.5% | 5% below |
| 15 | Ironworker | $28.15 | $58,560 | $38.38 | 260 | 36th of 50 | +11.3% | 7% below |
| 16 | Carpenter | $27.39 | $56,960 | $42.35 | 5,210 | 32nd of 51 | +12.7% | 6% below |
| 17 | Tile setter | $26.40 | $54,920 | $36.06 | 310 | 20th of 47 | -27.4% | 1% below |
| 18 | Plasterer | $25.69 | $53,440 | $29.00 | 80 | 18th of 28 | -2.5% | 7% below |
| 19 | Cement mason | $25.06 | $52,130 | $38.30 | 3,610 | 33rd of 51 | -3.5% | 9% below |
| 20 | Heavy equipment operator | $24.82 | $51,620 | $41.07 | 7,070 | 41st of 51 | +6.2% | 14% below |
| 21 | Insulation worker | $24.77 | $51,520 | $42.84 | 430 | 17th of 48 | — | 5% above |
| 22 | Machinist | $24.63 | $51,220 | $36.02 | 3,870 | 46th of 51 | -2.4% | 13% below |
| 23 | Solar installer | $24.04 | $49,990 | $29.63 | — | 17th of 32 | — | 6% below |
| 24 | Welder | $23.75 | $49,410 | $32.06 | 6,370 | 46th of 51 | +1.7% | 8% below |
| 25 | Roofer | $22.69 | $47,190 | $39.20 | 900 | 40th of 51 | +3.7% | 15% below |
| 26 | Glazier | $22.64 | $47,090 | $35.81 | 440 | 42nd of 50 | -14.6% | 17% below |
| 27 | Painter | $21.88 | $45,510 | $28.13 | 1,570 | 40th of 51 | +1.9% | 8% below |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $21.56 | $44,840 | $28.88 | 9,990 | 38th of 51 | +8.6% | 5% below |
| 29 | Drywall installer | $19.18 | $39,890 | $29.52 | 650 | 48th of 49 | -19.8% | 32% below |
Most in-demand trades in Kansas
By the Kansas labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+43.2%), electricians (+9.6%), sheet metal workers (+9.3%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,030 a year), construction supervisors (750 a year), welders (700 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 24,013 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +43.2% | 90 | 570 | $37.62 |
| Electrician | +9.6% | 610 | 6,190 | $31.66 |
| Sheet metal worker | +9.3% | 160 | 1,750 | $30.13 |
| Tile setter | +9.3% | 40 | 540 | $26.40 |
| HVAC technician | +8.6% | 420 | 4,360 | $29.07 |
| Construction manager | +7.2% | 420 | 5,060 | $58.08 |
| Roofer | +6.0% | 110 | 1,400 | $22.69 |
| Construction laborer | +6.0% | 1,030 | 11,820 | $21.56 |
| Elevator mechanic | +5.5% | 10 | 70 | $40.75 |
| Welder | +5.4% | 700 | 6,730 | $23.75 |
| Machinist | +4.9% | 430 | 4,120 | $24.63 |
| Plumber | +4.8% | 390 | 4,480 | $31.36 |
| Drywall installer | +4.7% | 60 | 790 | $19.18 |
| Carpenter | +4.0% | 550 | 7,140 | $27.39 |
| Crane operator | +3.9% | 60 | 620 | $37.07 |
| Construction supervisor | +3.9% | 750 | 9,540 | $36.91 |
| Ironworker | +3.9% | 40 | 460 | $28.15 |
| Insulation worker | +3.7% | 40 | 480 | $24.77 |
| Painter | +3.6% | 210 | 2,580 | $21.88 |
| Brickmason | +3.2% | 40 | 560 | $28.47 |
| Glazier | +3.1% | 50 | 580 | $22.64 |
| Cement mason | +2.1% | 260 | 3,820 | $25.06 |
| Diesel mechanic | +2.0% | 340 | 4,080 | $28.59 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +2.0% | 590 | 7,090 | $24.82 |
| Lineman | +0.2% | 110 | 1,480 | $48.86 |
| Millwright | -0.2% | 110 | 1,280 | $38.31 |
Source: Kansas long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Kansas
Prevailing wage in Kansas
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Kansas, 23 of 105 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $64.30/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Kansas
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Kansas?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $58.08 an hour in May 2025, followed by linemen ($48.86) and elevator mechanics ($40.75).
Which trades are in highest demand in Kansas?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+43.2%), electricians (+9.6%), sheet metal workers (+9.3%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,030 a year), construction supervisors (750 a year), welders (700 a year). The figures come from Kansas's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Kansas compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 9 pay above the national median in Kansas and 20 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 90.1% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Kansas.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).