Garden City Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Garden City, KS: $26.02/hr median hourly wage, $54,114 median annual salary, cost of living index 88.3, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Kansas taxes.
Garden City Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Garden City, KS is $26.02/hr, equivalent to $54,114 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $16.13/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $36.95/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$54,114
$26.02/hr
Cost of Living
88.3
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Garden City, KS Overview
Population
28,451
Median Salary
$54,114
Average Salary
$60,608
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$172,000
Median Rent
$702/mo
Job Growth
+1.3%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Garden City is located in Kansas with a population of 28,451. The median household salary is $54,114 per year ($26.02/hour), which is $5,270 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.3%.
Garden City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Garden City, KS based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $54,114 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $33,551 | $16.13/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $54,114 | $26.02/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $76,842 | $36.95/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $96,323 | $46.32/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Garden City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Garden City, KS, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$42,576
$3,548.01/month · $1,637.54/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.3%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,637.54 take-home per paycheck after estimated Kansas and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$54,114
Federal Tax
-$4,314
State Tax
-$3,084
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,140
Net Pay
$42,576
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,509.50 | $54,114.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$359.47 | -$4,313.68 |
| Kansas State Tax (5.7%) | -$257.04 | -$3,084.50 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$279.59 | -$3,355.07 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$65.39 | -$784.65 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,548.01 | $42,576.10 |
Salary Comparison: Garden City vs Other Cities
See how Garden City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City, KS | $54,114 | 88.3 | $61,284 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Castle Rock, CO | $54,114 | 98.6 | $54,882 |
| Southfield, MI | $54,114 | 84.1 | $64,345 |
| Long Beach, NY | $54,125 | 127.3 | $42,518 |
| Hurst, TX | $54,135 | 87.1 | $62,153 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Garden City
Garden City's cost of living index is 88.3 (national average = 100). Living in Garden City is 11.700000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$172,000
Median Monthly Rent
$702
Annual Rent Cost
$8,424
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $42,576 annual take-home pay in Garden City has the purchasing power of approximately $48,218 in an average-cost US area. Your $54,114 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Garden City
Garden City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $54,114.
Salary Tips for Garden City Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Garden City has a cost of living 11.700000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $54,114 here has the purchasing power of about $61,284 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.7% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Garden City's top industries include Aviation, Agriculture, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $54,114 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Garden City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Garden City-KS metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Garden City indexed at 88.3.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Garden City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $54,114 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Kansas state income tax (5.7%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Garden City: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Aviation, Agriculture, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Kansas.
- Housing context: median home price $172,000, median rent $702/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Garden City, KS:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Garden City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Garden City QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Kansas — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Garden City's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Kansas labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Garden City, KS?
The median hourly wage in Garden City, KS is $26.02 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $54,114 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $16.13/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $36.95/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Garden City, KS?
The median salary in Garden City, KS is $54,114 per year, or $26.02 per hour. The average salary is $60,608. This is $5,270 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Garden City, KS?
Garden City's cost of living index is 88.3 (national average = 100), meaning it is 11.700000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $172,000 and the median monthly rent is $702.
What are the best industries in Garden City?
The top industries in Garden City, KS include Aviation, Agriculture, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.3% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $54,114.
How does Garden City's salary compare to other cities?
Garden City's median salary of $54,114 is 8.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88.3), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,284.
What is the minimum wage in Garden City, KS?
The minimum wage in Garden City, KS is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.