Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Kansas

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Kansas run 9.9% below the national average (2024), so a Kansas salary is worth about 1.11× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Kansas.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Kansas

OccupationMedian, Kansas · Real change since 2019

1Education Teachers, Postsecondary$63,010
Doctoral or professional degree
$40,260 – $128,700-31.6%-13.9% nominal
2Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$61,260
Master's degree
$42,930 – $129,520-29.5%-11.3% nominal
3Farm and Home Management Educators$52,870
Master's degree
$42,610 – $82,680-26.9%-8.0% nominal
4Locomotive Engineers$75,190
High school diploma or equivalent
$60,660 – $78,300-26.8%-7.8% nominal
5Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$36,620
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,520 – $56,380-24.9%-5.4% nominal
6Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$64,330
Doctoral or professional degree
$45,280 – $131,990-24.4%-4.8% nominal
7Engineers, All Other$76,100
Bachelor's degree
$50,150 – $139,360-21.6%-1.3% nominal
8Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$47,840
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,280 – $60,830-21.4%-1.0% nominal
9Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$48,790
Bachelor's degree
$34,850 – $82,520-21.3%-1.0% nominal
10Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$68,730
High school diploma or equivalent
$49,190 – $71,400-21.2%-0.8% nominal
11Logisticians$69,520
Bachelor's degree
$46,400 – $114,090-20.6%0.0% nominal
12Advertising Sales Agents$48,660
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,150 – $90,440-20.5%+0.2% nominal
13Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$39,890
No formal educational credential
$35,880 – $61,410-19.9%+0.9% nominal
14Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$75,790
Doctoral or professional degree
$36,280 – $175,780-19.9%+0.8% nominal
15Cargo and Freight Agents$42,500
High school diploma or equivalent
$26,050 – $60,480-19.4%+1.5% nominal
16Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$62,870
Doctoral or professional degree
$47,940 – $91,220-19.3%+1.6% nominal
17Computer Network Architects$100,610
Bachelor's degree
$62,320 – $159,920-19.0%+2.0% nominal
18Real Estate Sales Agents$39,770
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,190 – $83,760-18.6%+2.5% nominal
19English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$62,340
Doctoral or professional degree
$46,440 – $107,350-18.4%+2.8% nominal
20Chiropractors$57,600
Doctoral or professional degree
$37,250 – $122,120-18.2%+3.0% nominal
21Chemists$82,820
Bachelor's degree
$53,360 – $132,460-17.6%+3.7% nominal
22Property Appraisers and Assessors$51,390
Bachelor's degree
$21,720 – $98,190-17.2%+4.3% nominal
23Medical Equipment Repairers$45,200
Associate's degree
$36,160 – $73,890-17.0%+4.5% nominal
24Library Technicians$41,960
Postsecondary nondegree award
$31,480 – $57,190-16.3%+5.4% nominal
25Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$35,900
High school diploma or equivalent
$23,980 – $61,900-16.2%+5.5% nominal
26Helpers--Production Workers$37,320
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,640 – $51,000-16.1%+5.6% nominal
27Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$58,300
Bachelor's degree
$46,240 – $73,300-16.1%+5.7% nominal
28Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$62,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,200 – $147,800-15.6%+6.3% nominal
29Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$77,290
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,980 – $112,710-15.6%+6.3% nominal
30Commercial Pilots$105,440
Postsecondary nondegree award
$49,060 – $175,820-15.6%+6.3% nominal
31Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$54,540
No formal educational credential
$39,560 – $75,280-15.3%+6.7% nominal
32Business Teachers, Postsecondary$83,310
Doctoral or professional degree
$48,140 – $238,150-15.2%+6.7% nominal
33Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$63,560
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,840 – $100,400-15.1%+6.9% nominal
34Insurance Underwriters$77,070
Bachelor's degree
$49,900 – $162,210-14.3%+7.9% nominal
35Pharmacists$137,800
Doctoral or professional degree
$78,770 – $169,310-14.1%+8.2% nominal
36Chief Executives$158,100
Bachelor's degree
$51,120 – $453,350-13.6%+8.8% nominal
37Occupational Therapy Assistants$65,010
Associate's degree
$55,120 – $77,410-13.5%+8.9% nominal
38Surveying and Mapping Technicians$50,900
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,870 – $80,290-13.2%+9.3% nominal
39Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$67,990
Bachelor's degree
$50,240 – $111,100-13.1%+9.4% nominal
40Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$75,810
Bachelor's degree
$46,650 – $136,150-13.1%+9.4% nominal
41Training and Development Specialists$62,010
Bachelor's degree
$41,640 – $107,900-12.8%+9.8% nominal
42Physical Therapist Assistants$64,500
Associate's degree
$52,520 – $79,550-12.3%+10.5% nominal
43Physical Therapists$98,290
Doctoral or professional degree
$72,290 – $122,130-12.3%+10.5% nominal
44Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$58,690
Postsecondary nondegree award
$44,140 – $80,960-11.4%+11.5% nominal
45Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers$59,850
High school diploma or equivalent
$52,630 – $77,440-11.3%+11.6% nominal
46Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$56,590
Master's degree
$42,020 – $77,920-11.2%+11.8% nominal
47Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,960
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,990 – $131,620-11.0%+12.1% nominal
48Instructional Coordinators$64,750
Master's degree
$47,870 – $95,310-10.6%+12.6% nominal
49Health Education Specialists$62,990
Bachelor's degree
$36,790 – $97,430-10.5%+12.7% nominal
50Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$61,480
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,740 – $76,770-10.4%+12.8% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianKansas	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$63,010	$40,260 – $128,700	-31.6%-13.9% nominal
2	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$61,260	$42,930 – $129,520	-29.5%-11.3% nominal
3	Farm and Home Management EducatorsMaster's degree	$52,870	$42,610 – $82,680	-26.9%-8.0% nominal
4	Locomotive EngineersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$75,190	$60,660 – $78,300	-26.8%-7.8% nominal
5	Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,620	$30,520 – $56,380	-24.9%-5.4% nominal
6	Mathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$64,330	$45,280 – $131,990	-24.4%-4.8% nominal
7	Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$76,100	$50,150 – $139,360	-21.6%-1.3% nominal
8	Structural Metal Fabricators and FittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,840	$38,280 – $60,830	-21.4%-1.0% nominal
9	Career/Technical Education Teachers, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$48,790	$34,850 – $82,520	-21.3%-1.0% nominal
10	Railroad Conductors and YardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$68,730	$49,190 – $71,400	-21.2%-0.8% nominal
11	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$69,520	$46,400 – $114,090	-20.6%0.0% nominal
12	Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,660	$27,150 – $90,440	-20.5%+0.2% nominal
13	Drywall and Ceiling Tile InstallersNo formal educational credential	$39,890	$35,880 – $61,410	-19.9%+0.9% nominal
14	Postsecondary Teachers, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree	$75,790	$36,280 – $175,780	-19.9%+0.8% nominal
15	Cargo and Freight AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42,500	$26,050 – $60,480	-19.4%+1.5% nominal
16	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$62,870	$47,940 – $91,220	-19.3%+1.6% nominal
17	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$100,610	$62,320 – $159,920	-19.0%+2.0% nominal
18	Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,770	$30,190 – $83,760	-18.6%+2.5% nominal
19	English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$62,340	$46,440 – $107,350	-18.4%+2.8% nominal
20	ChiropractorsDoctoral or professional degree	$57,600	$37,250 – $122,120	-18.2%+3.0% nominal
21	ChemistsBachelor's degree	$82,820	$53,360 – $132,460	-17.6%+3.7% nominal
22	Property Appraisers and AssessorsBachelor's degree	$51,390	$21,720 – $98,190	-17.2%+4.3% nominal
23	Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree	$45,200	$36,160 – $73,890	-17.0%+4.5% nominal
24	Library TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$41,960	$31,480 – $57,190	-16.3%+5.4% nominal
25	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,900	$23,980 – $61,900	-16.2%+5.5% nominal
26	Helpers--Production WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,320	$30,640 – $51,000	-16.1%+5.6% nominal
27	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree	$58,300	$46,240 – $73,300	-16.1%+5.7% nominal
28	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,580	$34,200 – $147,800	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
29	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$77,290	$48,980 – $112,710	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
30	Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award	$105,440	$49,060 – $175,820	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
31	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$54,540	$39,560 – $75,280	-15.3%+6.7% nominal
32	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$83,310	$48,140 – $238,150	-15.2%+6.7% nominal
33	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,560	$38,840 – $100,400	-15.1%+6.9% nominal
34	Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree	$77,070	$49,900 – $162,210	-14.3%+7.9% nominal
35	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$137,800	$78,770 – $169,310	-14.1%+8.2% nominal
36	Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree	$158,100	$51,120 – $453,350	-13.6%+8.8% nominal
37	Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree	$65,010	$55,120 – $77,410	-13.5%+8.9% nominal
38	Surveying and Mapping TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50,900	$42,870 – $80,290	-13.2%+9.3% nominal
39	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$67,990	$50,240 – $111,100	-13.1%+9.4% nominal
40	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsBachelor's degree	$75,810	$46,650 – $136,150	-13.1%+9.4% nominal
41	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$62,010	$41,640 – $107,900	-12.8%+9.8% nominal
42	Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree	$64,500	$52,520 – $79,550	-12.3%+10.5% nominal
43	Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree	$98,290	$72,290 – $122,130	-12.3%+10.5% nominal
44	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$58,690	$44,140 – $80,960	-11.4%+11.5% nominal
45	Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,850	$52,630 – $77,440	-11.3%+11.6% nominal
46	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMaster's degree	$56,590	$42,020 – $77,920	-11.2%+11.8% nominal
47	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific ProductsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$68,960	$39,990 – $131,620	-11.0%+12.1% nominal
48	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$64,750	$47,870 – $95,310	-10.6%+12.6% nominal
49	Health Education SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$62,990	$36,790 – $97,430	-10.5%+12.7% nominal
50	Security and Fire Alarm Systems InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,480	$46,740 – $76,770	-10.4%+12.8% nominal

More for Kansas

Metro areas in Kansas

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Kansas

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Kansas to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Kansas

More for Kansas

Metro areas in Kansas

By field in Kansas

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state