Salary & Cost of Living in Manhattan, KS
Manhattan, KS: $35,770 median salary, cost of living index 88.8, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$35,770
$17/hr
Cost of Living
88.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.7%
rate
Manhattan, KS Overview
Population
55,602
Median Salary
$35,770
Average Salary
$40,062
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$255,000
Median Rent
$1,048/mo
Job Growth
+1.2%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Manhattan is located in Kansas with a population of 55,602. The median household salary is $35,770 per year ($17/hour), which is $23,614 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.2%.
Manhattan Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Manhattan, KS based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,770 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 | $22,177 | $10.66/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,770 | $17.20/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,793 | $24.42/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,671 | $30.62/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.
Manhattan Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Manhattan, KS, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$28,741
$2,395.07/month · $1,105.42/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.7%
Gross Pay
$35,770
Federal Tax
-$2,254
State Tax
-$2,039
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,736
Net Pay
$28,741
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,980.83 | $35,770.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$187.82 | -$2,253.90 |
| Kansas State Tax (5.7%) | -$169.91 | -$2,038.89 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$184.81 | -$2,217.74 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.22 | -$518.67 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,395.07 | $28,740.81 |
Salary Comparison: Manhattan vs Other Cities
See how Manhattan's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan, KS | $35,770 | 88.8 | $40,282 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $35,772 | 98.2 | $36,428 |
| Logan, UT | $35,767 | 92.8 | $38,542 |
| Caldwell, ID | $35,775 | 92.8 | $38,551 |
| Salina, KS | $35,759 | 82.5 | $43,344 |
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 Manhattan
Manhattan's cost of living index is 88.8 (national average = 100). Living in Manhattan is 11.200000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$255,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,048
Annual Rent Cost
$12,576
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $28,741 annual take-home pay in Manhattan has the purchasing power of approximately $32,366 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,770 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Manhattan
Manhattan's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,770.
Salary Tips for Manhattan Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Manhattan has a cost of living 11.200000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $35,770 here has the purchasing power of about $40,282 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. Manhattan's top industries include Aviation, Agriculture, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,770 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 Manhattan salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Manhattan-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 Manhattan indexed at 88.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Manhattan's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,770 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 Manhattan: 2.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Aviation, Agriculture, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Kansas.
- Housing context: median home price $255,000, median rent $1,048/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Manhattan, KS:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Manhattan unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Manhattan 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. Manhattan'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 median salary in Manhattan, KS?
The median salary in Manhattan, KS is $35,770 per year, or $17 per hour. The average salary is $40,062. This is $23,614 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Manhattan, KS?
Manhattan's cost of living index is 88.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 11.200000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $255,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,048.
What are the best industries in Manhattan?
The top industries in Manhattan, KS include Aviation, Agriculture, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.2% and an unemployment rate of 2.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,770.
How does Manhattan's salary compare to other cities?
Manhattan's median salary of $35,770 is 39.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $40,282.
What is the minimum wage in Manhattan, KS?
The minimum wage in Manhattan, 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.