According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are two job openings for every unemployed person in Kansas and Missouri, which should be good news for job seekers.
Those looking for job security should look into industries that are projected to grow. In Kansas City, the industries set to grow the most overall are healthcare, information technology, logistics, and transportation.
According to the Missouri Economic Report 2023, those forgoing a four-year degree can qualify with little experience or with an apprenticeship or certification for the following in-demand jobs in Kansas City.
Most Online Job Postings in KC Requiring Little Experience
- Retail Sales: 5,690 Job Postings
- Laborers & Freight, Stock, & Material Movers: 5,530
- Customer Service Representative: 4,620
- Fast Food & Counter Workers: 4,310
- Home Health & Personal Care Aides: 3,590
Most Online Job Postings in KC Requiring Moderate Training
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing: 6,120 Job Postings
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers: 5,030
- Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: 4,950
- Maintenance & Repair Workers, General: 4,420
- Food Service Managers: 3,930
Highest Projected 10-Year Growth Jobs in KC Requiring Little Experience
- Waiters & Waitress
- Fast Food & Counter Workers
- Cashiers
- Home Health & Personal Care Aides
- Stockers & Order Fillers
Highest Projected 10-Year Growth Jobs in KC Requiring Moderate Training
- Restaurant Cooks
- Assemblers & Fabricators
- Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Nursing Assistants
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Prep & Serving Workers
In Wichita, the industries expected to grow most are aviation, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare support. While many of those jobs require years of experience or a four-year degree, the Kansas Department of Labor crunched some numbers and came up with the highest-paying entry-level jobs without a Bachelor’s degree.
Highest Paying In-Demand Jobs in Wichita Requiring Apprenticeship
- Carpenters $16.09/hr starting wage
- Electricians $18.94/hr
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters $18.20/hr
- Sheet metal workers $16.5/hr
Highest Paying In-Demand Jobs in Wichita Requiring Associate Degree or Less
- Transportation, storage and distribution managers – $35.48/hr starting wage
- Dental hygienists – $32.41/hr
- Diagnostic medical sonographers – $32.38/hr
- Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers – $27.13/hr
- Respiratory therapists – $25.84/hr