Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
58 Highest Paying Jobs in Wichita, KS (2026)
The highest-paying job in Wichita, KS, Kansas is Pediatrician with a median salary of $228,820 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 58 tracked occupations the average median is $92,072, with 16 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 84 (national average = 100), so a $92,072 nominal salary equals $109,610 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 58 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Wichita, KS, KS, from BLS OEWS data. Wichita, KS's cost-of-living index runs 84.0 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Wichita, KS, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Wichita, KS
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Wichita, KS's cost-of-living index of 84 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $228,820 · 10th–90th $195,350–$310,110 · 50 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Wichita, KS earn $228,820 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $310,110. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $272,405 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $156,130 · 10th–90th $94,730–$241,830 · 550 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Wichita, KS earn $156,130 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $241,830. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $185,869 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $155,060 · 10th–90th $81,590–$250,650 · 1,060 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Wichita, KS earn $155,060 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $250,650. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $184,595 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $150,210 · 10th–90th $93,570–$278,990 · 240 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Wichita, KS earn $150,210 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $278,990. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $178,821 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $142,400 · 10th–90th $107,230–$165,940 · 580 jobs in metro
Pharmacists in Wichita, KS earn $142,400 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $165,940. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $169,524 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $134,650 · 10th–90th $76,390–$221,090 · 960 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Wichita, KS earn $134,650 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $221,090. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $160,298 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $132,050 · 10th–90th $92,340–$212,920 · 220 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Wichita, KS earn $132,050 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $212,920. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $157,202 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $123,940 · 10th–90th $82,630–$193,340 · 120 jobs in metro
Optometrists in Wichita, KS earn $123,940 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $193,340. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $147,548 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $121,640 · 10th–90th $95,900–$161,750 · 240 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Wichita, KS earn $121,640 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $161,750. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $144,810 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $121,510 · 10th–90th $76,380–$209,200 · 690 jobs in metro
Lawyers in Wichita, KS earn $121,510 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $209,200. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $144,655 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Full Ranking (58 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $228,820 | $195,350–$310,110 | $272,405 | 50 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $156,130 | $94,730–$241,830 | $185,869 | 550 |
| 3 | Financial Manager | Finance | $155,060 | $81,590–$250,650 | $184,595 | 1,060 |
| 4 | Marketing Manager | Management | $150,210 | $93,570–$278,990 | $178,821 | 240 |
| 5 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $142,400 | $107,230–$165,940 | $169,524 | 580 |
| 6 | Sales Manager | Management | $134,650 | $76,390–$221,090 | $160,298 | 960 |
| 7 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $132,050 | $92,340–$212,920 | $157,202 | 220 |
| 8 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $123,940 | $82,630–$193,340 | $147,548 | 120 |
| 9 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $121,640 | $95,900–$161,750 | $144,810 | 240 |
| 10 | Lawyer | Legal | $121,510 | $76,380–$209,200 | $144,655 | 690 |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $116,100 | $95,600–$145,620 | $138,214 | 690 |
| 12 | Software Developer | Technology | $105,980 | $62,860–$152,500 | $126,167 | 2,040 |
| 13 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $104,930 | $78,880–$205,400 | $124,917 | 170 |
| 14 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $104,410 | $73,990–$181,840 | $124,298 | 920 |
| 15 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $102,880 | $78,800–$129,800 | $122,476 | 140 |
| 16 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $101,510 | $75,940–$137,160 | $120,845 | 1,110 |
| 17 | Loan Officer | Finance | $99,170 | $49,590–$156,790 | $118,060 | 700 |
| 18 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $99,000 | $74,070–$120,690 | $117,857 | 320 |
| 19 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $98,530 | $57,010–$164,160 | $117,298 | 350 |
| 20 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $98,480 | $65,230–$146,580 | $117,238 | 400 |
| 21 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $97,400 | $71,960–$118,780 | $115,952 | 580 |
| 22 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $96,890 | $30,920–$129,770 | $115,345 | 220 |
| 23 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $94,790 | $62,000–$175,700 | $112,845 | 620 |
| 24 | Data Scientist | Technology | $94,680 | $67,840–$153,540 | $112,714 | 70 |
| 25 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $94,610 | $65,840–$139,660 | $112,631 | 800 |
| 26 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $92,960 | $60,540–$183,830 | $110,667 | 70 |
| 27 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $91,670 | $56,150–$144,920 | $109,131 | 370 |
| 28 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $90,130 | $61,890–$136,600 | $107,298 | 130 |
| 29 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $89,610 | $77,140–$97,250 | $106,679 | 60 |
| 30 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $85,230 | $48,910–$191,600 | $101,464 | 5,060 |
| 31 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $84,310 | $48,740–$132,740 | $100,369 | 540 |
| 32 | Database Architect | Technology | $84,260 | $52,860–$137,190 | $100,310 | 70 |
| 33 | Network Architect | Technology | $82,820 | $54,840–$121,100 | $98,595 | 720 |
| 34 | Management Analyst | Management | $82,390 | $52,330–$130,860 | $98,083 | 970 |
| 35 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $81,200 | $51,460–$266,380 | $96,667 | 470 |
| 36 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $80,450 | $50,290–$170,830 | $95,774 | 110 |
| 37 | Accountant | Finance | $79,270 | $52,810–$133,460 | $94,369 | 3,120 |
| 38 | Architect | Engineering | $79,180 | $59,640–$129,610 | $94,262 | 220 |
| 39 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $78,390 | $56,120–$112,630 | $93,321 | 430 |
| 40 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $76,540 | $60,300–$99,530 | $91,119 | 7,460 |
| 41 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $73,470 | $50,150–$115,920 | $87,464 | 200 |
| 42 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $71,040 | $48,220–$122,100 | $84,571 | 290 |
| 43 | Web Developer | Technology | $70,910 | $43,110–$133,660 | $84,417 | 30 |
| 44 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $67,980 | $38,570–$106,640 | $80,929 | 810 |
| 45 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $66,680 | $46,450–$142,470 | $79,381 | 40 |
| 46 | Electrician | Trades | $65,670 | $38,700–$96,830 | $78,179 | 1,610 |
| 47 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $63,890 | $35,750–$120,090 | $76,060 | 1,470 |
| 48 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $63,430 | $39,690–$109,290 | $75,512 | 370 |
| 49 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $63,070 | $47,700–$83,310 | $75,083 | 60 |
| 50 | Web Designer | Technology | $62,690 | $40,290–$116,340 | $74,631 | 80 |
| 51 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $61,840 | $49,700–$76,230 | $73,619 | 2,320 |
| 52 | Plumber | Trades | $60,940 | $38,290–$93,630 | $72,548 | 1,060 |
| 53 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $58,640 | $48,470–$65,150 | $69,810 | 2,940 |
| 54 | Welder | Trades | $54,190 | $39,020–$71,890 | $64,512 | 1,460 |
| 55 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $52,570 | $36,670–$79,990 | $62,583 | 300 |
| 56 | Carpenter | Trades | $50,930 | $37,980–$78,000 | $60,631 | 1,210 |
| 57 | Paralegal | Legal | $50,240 | $37,800–$74,770 | $59,810 | 480 |
| 58 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $47,800 | $31,350–$74,030 | $56,905 | 1,330 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Wichita, KS
Wichita, KS's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Wichita, KS's cost-of-living index of 84 runs 16% below the U.S. national average. Lower nominal pay here often translates to comparable or better purchasing power than higher headline numbers in coastal hubs — see the COL-Adjusted column for the apples-to-apples figure.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Pediatrician with five-plus years of experience in Wichita, KS should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($269,465) or 90th percentile ($310,110), not the $228,820 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $229K Pediatrician salary in Wichita, KS (COL 84) translates to $272K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Pediatrician in Wichita, KS page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Wichita, KS is Pediatrician with a median salary of $228,820 and a 90th-percentile reading of $310,110. The role employs roughly 50 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
16 of the 58 BLS-tracked occupations in Wichita, KS have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 58 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Wichita, KS is $92,072. The cost-of-living index is 84, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $109,610 in equivalent purchasing power.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 84, below the national average. Nominal pay translates better than face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Pediatrician, Computer and Information Systems Manager, Financial Manager occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.