Average salary by job family in Topeka
| Management | $122,180 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $100,110 |
| Legal | $94,780 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $94,640 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $92,600 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $80,840 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $79,220 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $64,280 |
| Protective Service | $61,640 |
| Construction and Extraction | $59,170 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $58,100 |
| Community and Social Service | $55,460 |
| Production | $53,490 |
| Sales and Related | $50,790 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $50,440 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $47,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $46,870 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $41,070 |
| Healthcare Support | $38,280 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $37,880 |
| Personal Care and Service | $35,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $32,770 |
Highest-paying jobs in Topeka
- Physicians, All Other$339,300
- Dentists, General$181,320
- Chief Executives$176,680
- Marketing Managers$173,590
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$170,270
- Sales Managers$169,850
- Financial Managers$167,320
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$162,650
- Purchasing Managers$156,640
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$152,180
Most common jobs in Topeka and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 3,260 | $28,220 | $27,810 |
| Registered Nurses | 3,190 | $88,670 | $81,820 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 3,090 | $32,260 | $31,470 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 2,920 | $41,760 | $39,500 |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,450 | $103,570 | $85,080 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,340 | $44,280 | $43,180 |
| Nursing Assistants | 2,270 | $41,060 | $38,720 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,270 | $35,250 | $32,820 |
| Cashiers | 2,240 | $28,790 | $28,580 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 2,140 | $44,780 | $49,140 |
Cost of living in Topeka
Prices in the Topeka area are 11% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 88.8 for 2024. The average local salary of $61,600 therefore buys what $69,354 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $217,683, 3.2 times the median household income of $68,160.
Take-home pay in Topeka
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $36,600 | $30,345 | $2,529 |
| Median wage | $49,540 | $40,021 | $3,335 |
| Average wage | $61,600 | $49,038 | $4,086 |
| 75th percentile wage | $74,210 | $57,696 | $4,808 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Salaries for every job in Topeka
Management23 jobs
- Chief Executives$177K
- Marketing Managers$174K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$170K
- Sales Managers$170K
- Financial Managers$167K
- Purchasing Managers$157K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$152K
- Administrative Services Managers$135K
- Human Resources Managers$135K
- Facilities Managers$128K
- Public Relations Managers$127K
- Industrial Production Managers$126K
- Construction Managers$126K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$125K
- Managers, All Other$117K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$114K
- General and Operations Managers$104K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$103K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$96K
- Social and Community Service Managers$88K
- Food Service Managers$77K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$75K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$58K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical27 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$339K
- Dentists, General$181K
- Optometrists$136K
- Pharmacists$136K
- Nurse Practitioners$134K
- Physician Assistants$133K
- Veterinarians$121K
- Physical Therapists$100K
- Occupational Therapists$96K
- Registered Nurses$89K
- Dental Hygienists$86K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$86K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$82K
- Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$77K
- Respiratory Therapists$75K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$72K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$69K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$68K
- Medical Records Specialists$67K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$65K
- Paramedics$58K
- Pharmacy Technicians$48K
- Recreational Therapists$46K
- Psychiatric Technicians$44K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$44K
- Opticians, Dispensing$41K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$39K
Legal3 jobs
Computer and Mathematical13 jobs
- Software Developers$111K
- Information Security Analysts$107K
- Computer Network Architects$103K
- Data Scientists$102K
- Computer Programmers$102K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$98K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$95K
- Database Administrators$89K
- Computer Systems Analysts$89K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$87K
- Web Developers$85K
- Operations Research Analysts$67K
- Computer User Support Specialists$57K
Architecture and Engineering11 jobs
- Electrical Engineers$124K
- Industrial Engineers$111K
- Mechanical Engineers$102K
- Civil Engineers$99K
- Environmental Engineers$84K
- Engineers, All Other$81K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$79K
- Surveyors$76K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$68K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$58K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$58K
Business and Financial Operations25 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$130K
- Insurance Underwriters$107K
- Loan Officers$106K
- Project Management Specialists$104K
- Logisticians$94K
- Budget Analysts$92K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$89K
- Labor Relations Specialists$87K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$82K
- Financial Examiners$81K
- Cost Estimators$81K
- Accountants and Auditors$81K
- Human Resources Specialists$81K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$76K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$76K
- Credit Analysts$76K
- Compliance Officers$74K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$74K
- Management Analysts$72K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$70K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$65K
- Training and Development Specialists$65K
- Fundraisers$63K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$62K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$56K
Life, Physical, and Social Science10 jobs
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$163K
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$90K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$86K
- Forensic Science Technicians$85K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$81K
- Urban and Regional Planners$78K
- School Psychologists$69K
- Chemists$67K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$66K
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$60K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair22 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$98K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$86K
- Millwrights$77K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$75K
- Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other$74K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$74K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$69K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$67K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$65K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$65K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$63K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$60K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$56K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$54K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$54K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$53K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$50K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$50K
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$46K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$46K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$40K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$38K
Protective Service13 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$102K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$91K
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$83K
- Bailiffs$71K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$67K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$65K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$59K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$59K
- Firefighters$55K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$43K
- Security Guards$40K
- School Bus Monitors$33K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$28K
Construction and Extraction16 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$79K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$71K
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons$67K
- Electricians$66K
- Sheet Metal Workers$64K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$63K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$60K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$57K
- Carpenters$55K
- Roofers$53K
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$52K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$50K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$47K
- Construction Laborers$46K
- Helpers--Electricians$44K
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$44K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media9 jobs
Community and Social Service11 jobs
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$67K
- Healthcare Social Workers$66K
- Health Education Specialists$65K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$62K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$56K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$55K
- Clergy$51K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$47K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$45K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$42K
Production19 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76K
- Machinists$59K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$58K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55K
- Food Batchmakers$55K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$54K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51K
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$51K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$50K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$49K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$46K
- Printing Press Operators$46K
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$44K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$39K
- Bakers$34K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$31K
Sales and Related14 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$147K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$103K
- Insurance Sales Agents$88K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$80K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$73K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$69K
- Advertising Sales Agents$58K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$49K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$47K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$45K
- Parts Salespersons$41K
- Retail Salespersons$35K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$34K
- Cashiers$29K
Educational Instruction and Library18 jobs
- Instructional Coordinators$67K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$61K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$60K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$60K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$59K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$59K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$57K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$57K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$57K
- Special Education Teachers, Preschool$56K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$56K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$56K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$46K
- Tutors$45K
- Library Technicians$44K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$37K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$37K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$35K
Office and Administrative Support36 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$67K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$66K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$62K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$61K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$59K
- Postal Service Clerks$57K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$54K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$52K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$51K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$51K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$51K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$49K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$49K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$49K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$49K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$47K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$47K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47K
- Bill and Account Collectors$46K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$46K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44K
- Customer Service Representatives$44K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44K
- File Clerks$43K
- New Accounts Clerks$42K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$42K
- Office Clerks, General$42K
- Order Clerks$41K
- Couriers and Messengers$40K
- Tellers$37K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$36K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$36K
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$35K
- Data Entry Keyers$35K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$32K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$31K
Transportation and Material Moving15 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$126K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$65K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$61K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$49K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$47K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$45K
- Bus Drivers, School$45K
- Light Truck Drivers$45K
- Driver/Sales Workers$44K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$40K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$39K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$38K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$38K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$37K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$35K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry3 jobs
Healthcare Support12 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$64K
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$62K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$52K
- Massage Therapists$51K
- Dental Assistants$46K
- Phlebotomists$44K
- Medical Assistants$44K
- Nursing Assistants$41K
- Psychiatric Aides$38K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$32K
- Pharmacy Aides$32K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$63K
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$54K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$52K
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$45K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$40K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34K
Personal Care and Service12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$49K
- Skincare Specialists$47K
- Tour and Travel Guides$44K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$38K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$37K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$37K
- Residential Advisors$36K
- Recreation Workers$33K
- Childcare Workers$33K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$30K
- Animal Caretakers$28K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$28K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$58K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$43K
- Cooks, Short Order$42K
- Waiters and Waitresses$39K
- Bartenders$37K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$34K
- Cooks, Restaurant$34K
- Food Preparation Workers$32K
- Cooks, Fast Food$29K
- Dishwashers$29K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$28K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$28K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$27K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$25K
Average salary in nearby cities
What locals say: vote a badge
Tap the badges that describe this place. One vote per badge and visitor, no account. A badge shows in the city rankings after 3 votes.
Salary in Topeka: questions
What is a good salary in Topeka?
Half of all workers in the Topeka metro earn less than $49,540 and the average is $61,600. Earning more than $74,210 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Topeka to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $61,970, because prices here are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.8).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Topeka?
Physicians, All Other ($339,300), Dentists, General ($181,320), Chief Executives ($176,680).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Topeka, KS (45820), all occupations and 333 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.