Kansas City Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Kansas City, MO: $28.85/hr median hourly wage, $60,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 90, and $13.75/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Missouri taxes.
Kansas City Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Kansas City, MO is $28.85/hr, equivalent to $60,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.89/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $40.97/hr, and the local minimum wage is $13.75/hr.
Median Salary
$60,000
$28.85/hr
Cost of Living
90
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$13.75
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Kansas City, MO Overview
Population
508,090
Median Salary
$60,000
Average Salary
$66,500
Avg Commute
23 min
Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
9.98%
Kansas City is located in Missouri with a population of 508,090. The median household salary is $60,000 per year ($28.85/hour), which is $616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 23 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Kansas City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Kansas City, MO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,000 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 | $37,200 | $17.89/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,000 | $28.85/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $85,200 | $40.97/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $106,800 | $51.35/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.
Kansas City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Kansas City, MO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$46,970
$3,914.17/month · $1,806.54/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.7%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,806.54 take-home per paycheck after estimated Missouri and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$60,000
Federal Tax
-$5,020
State Tax
-$2,820
Local Tax
-$600
FICA
-$4,590
Net Pay
$46,970
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,000.00 | $60,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$418.33 | -$5,020.00 |
| Missouri State Tax (4.7%) | -$235.00 | -$2,820.00 |
| Local Tax (1%) | -$50.00 | -$600.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$310.00 | -$3,720.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$72.50 | -$870.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,914.17 | $46,970.00 |
Salary Comparison: Kansas City vs Other Cities
See how Kansas City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | $60,000 | 90 | $66,667 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,000 | 102 | $58,824 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $60,000 | 93 | $64,516 |
| Joliet, IL | $60,000 | 90 | $66,667 |
| Fargo, ND | $60,000 | 93 | $64,516 |
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 Kansas City
Kansas City's cost of living index is 90 (national average = 100). Living in Kansas City is 10% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Annual Rent Cost
$13,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $46,970 annual take-home pay in Kansas City has the purchasing power of approximately $52,189 in an average-cost US area. Your $60,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Kansas City
Kansas City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,000.
Salary Tips for Kansas City Workers
- Research top industries. Kansas City's top industries include Technology, Healthcare, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,000 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.
Job Salaries in Kansas City, MO
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Kansas City's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Kansas City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Kansas City-MO 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 Kansas City indexed at 90.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Kansas City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Missouri state income tax (4.7%), plus Kansas City local tax of 1%, sales tax (9.98%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Kansas City: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Healthcare, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Missouri.
- Housing context: median home price $235,000, median rent $1,100/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Kansas City, MO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Kansas City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Kansas City QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Missouri — 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. Kansas City's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Missouri 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 Kansas City, MO?
The median hourly wage in Kansas City, MO is $28.85 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $60,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.89/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $40.97/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Kansas City, MO?
The median salary in Kansas City, MO is $60,000 per year, or $28.85 per hour. The average salary is $66,500. This is $616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Kansas City, MO?
Kansas City's cost of living index is 90 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $235,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,100.
What are the best industries in Kansas City?
The top industries in Kansas City, MO include Technology, Healthcare, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,000.
How does Kansas City's salary compare to other cities?
Kansas City's median salary of $60,000 is 1.0% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 90), the real purchasing power is approximately $66,667.
What is the minimum wage in Kansas City, MO?
The minimum wage in Kansas City, MO is $13.75 per hour. This equals approximately $28,600 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $6.50 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.