Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Database administrators
- Median annual wage: $109,010
- Median hourly wage: $52.41
- Total employment: 520 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in Kansas City
Despite recession fears and falling consumer confidence, the job market in the United States has remained relatively stable in 2025 thus far. According to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, around 177,000 new jobs were added in April, a slight decrease from the 185,000 new jobs added in the month before, but an extension of the country's 52-month streak of job growth. Unemployment rates also held relatively steady between April 2024 and April 2025, coming in at around 4%.
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean Americans have it easy in the workplace. A December 2024 Payscale report found that nearly half (47%) of business organizations struggle to balance fair pay practices with spend optimization, and 18% plan to reduce pay increases in 2025 as a result.
For context, median weekly earnings across all employees in the U.S. stood at $1,194 in the first quarter of 2025. This represents an increase of 4.8% from a year prior and exceeds the Consumer Price Index's 2.7% increase in the same time period. However, there's one caveat: Earnings go much further in some places than in others.
In fact, the very definition of a "high-paying" job varies by location, as well as other factors such as industry and benefits. Even a six-figure salary may be considered low-income in places with an unusually high cost of living. Meanwhile, technology, finance, and health care jobs lead in terms of salary, but benefits like remote work can make other lower-paying jobs more desirable.
Regardless, anyone seeking a high-paying job should start by looking at the numbers. Stacker used BLS data to find the 50 highest-paying jobs in Kansas City. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Computer and information research scientists
- Median annual wage: $109,940
- Median hourly wage: $52.85
- Total employment: 130 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Computer network architects
- Median annual wage: $110,480
- Median hourly wage: $53.12
- Total employment: 1,550 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $111,190
- Median hourly wage: $53.46
- Total employment: 2,550 people (2.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Suwin // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $111,220
- Median hourly wage: $53.47
- Total employment: 130 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Atmospheric and space scientists
- Median annual wage: $112,030
- Median hourly wage: $53.86
- Total employment: 110 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Software developers
- Median annual wage: $114,440
- Median hourly wage: $55.02
- Total employment: 13,940 people (12.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Medical and health services managers
- Median annual wage: $114,990
- Median hourly wage: $55.28
- Total employment: 3,880 people (3.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Petekub // Shutterstock
9 / 50#41. Economists (tie)
- Median annual wage: $115,520
- Median hourly wage: $55.54
- Total employment: 150 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Education administrators, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: $115,520
- Median hourly wage: $55.54
- Total employment: 220 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Training and development managers
- Median annual wage: $118,440
- Median hourly wage: $56.94
- Total employment: 170 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Physical scientists, all other
- Median annual wage: $119,020
- Median hourly wage: $57.22
- Total employment: 180 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Veterinarians
- Median annual wage: $119,640
- Median hourly wage: $57.52
- Total employment: 720 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $121,960
- Median hourly wage: $58.64
- Total employment: 240 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Another77 // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Petroleum engineers
- Median annual wage: $122,090
- Median hourly wage: $58.70
- Total employment: Not available
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Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Industrial production managers
- Median annual wage: $123,030
- Median hourly wage: $59.15
- Total employment: 1,460 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Public relations managers
- Median annual wage: $126,900
- Median hourly wage: $61.01
- Total employment: 290 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Database architects
- Median annual wage: $126,930
- Median hourly wage: $61.03
- Total employment: 740 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Psychologists, all other
- Median annual wage: $127,460
- Median hourly wage: $61.28
- Total employment: 110 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
dokurose // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Actuaries
- Median annual wage: $127,550
- Median hourly wage: $61.32
- Total employment: 260 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Nurse practitioners
- Median annual wage: $127,800
- Median hourly wage: $61.44
- Total employment: 2,000 people (1.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Physician assistants
- Median annual wage: $128,690
- Median hourly wage: $61.87
- Total employment: 580 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Lawyers
- Median annual wage: $130,890
- Median hourly wage: $62.93
- Total employment: 5,750 people (5.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
SpeedKingz // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Managers, all other
- Median annual wage: $132,020
- Median hourly wage: $63.47
- Total employment: 3,180 people (2.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kzenon // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Optometrists
- Median annual wage: $133,350
- Median hourly wage: $64.11
- Total employment: 320 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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fizkes // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Marketing managers
- Median annual wage: $133,860
- Median hourly wage: $64.35
- Total employment: 1,830 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Skycolors // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $134,100
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 280 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Human resources managers
- Median annual wage: $135,620
- Median hourly wage: $65.20
- Total employment: 1,510 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
VE.Studio // Shutterstock
29 / 50#21. Natural sciences managers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $136,510
- Median hourly wage: $65.63
- Total employment: 310 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Purchasing managers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $136,510
- Median hourly wage: $65.63
- Total employment: 580 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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dokurose // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Sales managers
- Median annual wage: $136,740
- Median hourly wage: $65.74
- Total employment: 4,480 people (4.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Pharmacists
- Median annual wage: $138,400
- Median hourly wage: $66.54
- Total employment: 2,800 people (2.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kanghophoto // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Financial managers
- Median annual wage: $140,650
- Median hourly wage: $67.62
- Total employment: 4,610 people (4.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Sebastian Duda // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
- Median annual wage: $150,430
- Median hourly wage: $72.32
- Total employment: 200 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Elnur // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Podiatrists
- Median annual wage: $153,810
- Median hourly wage: $73.95
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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BOY ANTHONY // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Architectural and engineering managers
- Median annual wage: $158,050
- Median hourly wage: $75.99
- Total employment: 1,660 people (1.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Burben // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Air traffic controllers
- Median annual wage: $159,120
- Median hourly wage: $76.50
- Total employment: 400 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Frame Stock Footage // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Computer and information systems managers
- Median annual wage: $160,500
- Median hourly wage: $77.16
- Total employment: 4,310 people (3.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Worawee Meepian // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
- Median annual wage: $161,350
- Median hourly wage: $77.57
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Dentists, general
- Median annual wage: $179,080
- Median hourly wage: $86.10
- Total employment: 980 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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LightField Studios // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Nurse anesthetists
- Median annual wage: $189,740
- Median hourly wage: $91.22
- Total employment: 820 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Chief executives
- Median annual wage: $195,850
- Median hourly wage: $94.16
- Total employment: 1,410 people (1.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
- Median annual wage: $206,400
- Median hourly wage: $99.23
- Total employment: Not available
4 PM production // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Ophthalmologists, except pediatric
- Median annual wage: $210,990
- Median hourly wage: $101.44
- Total employment: Not available
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Physicians, pathologists
- Median annual wage: $225,550
- Median hourly wage: $108.44
- Total employment: 90 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Pediatricians, general
- Median annual wage: $228,950
- Median hourly wage: $110.07
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Anesthesiologists
- Median annual wage: $235,950
- Median hourly wage: $113.44
- Total employment: 450 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
48 / 50#1. Psychiatrists (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available
Photoroyalty // Shutterstock
49 / 50#1. Surgeons, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Family medicine physicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 610 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cu Fleshman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.
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