Jobs, pay and daily life in Topeka, from official statistics with source and year on every table.
Click any dot to open that city: jobs, pay, rent, commute, county economy and climate. Dot size follows population; colours follow the state flag.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 08/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Topeka is a city in Kansas with 125,786 residents. The median household earns $56,956 a year and the median rent is $979 a month, which is 20.6% of the median household income. It is part of the Topeka, KS metropolitan area, where BLS counts 115,750 jobs.
How Topeka compares. Among the 60 largest places in Kansas, Topeka is #5 by population, #47 for household income (#1 = highest), #45 for homeownership (#1 = highest), #24 for rent (#1 = cheapest). Its county, Shawnee County, is #5 of 105 counties for average pay ($60,096).
Topeka has 125,786 residents (ACS 2020–2024), about 4.3% of the population of Kansas. It covers 62 square miles of land, which works out to roughly 2,032 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0, about the same as the state median (38.0 against 37.4).
The median gross rent is $979 a month (rent plus utilities), 8% below the state median ($979 against $1,060). Over a year that is 20.6% of the median household income. US housing guidance treats housing as affordable when it takes 30% of income or less, so the typical household is under that line. The median home value is $144,200, which is 2.5 times the median household income ($56,956); a ratio under 4 usually means ownership is within reach for many households. 59.0% of households own their home, 12% below the state average (59.0% against 67.2%).
The Topeka, KS metropolitan area has 115,750 jobs in the BLS wage survey, and the median pay across all occupations is $49,540 a year, about the same as the national median ($49,540 against $50,980). The biggest occupation groups are office and administrative support (14,530 jobs, median $45,190); transportation and material moving (9,880 jobs, median $46,610); healthcare practitioners and technical (8,870 jobs, median $81,820). The area is most specialised in healthcare practitioners and technical (1.2 times) and healthcare support (1.2 times), where the share of workers is above the national share. The best-paying groups with at least 5,000 jobs are management ($104,580) and healthcare practitioners and technical ($81,820). In 2026M09 the unemployment rate of Shawnee County was 4.0%. 60.8% of residents aged 16 and over are in the labour force. The city lies in Shawnee County; its jobs, pay by industry and GDP are on the county page.
Among workers, 75.5% drive alone, 0.5% use public transit, 1.9% walk, 10.9% work from home. 6.0% of workers commute 45 minutes or more, 19% below the state average (6.0% against 7.4%).
29.0% of adults aged 25 and over hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 19% below the state share (29.0% against 35.6%). 5.1% of residents were born outside the United States, 31% below the state share (5.1% against 7.4%). The poverty rate is 15.7%, 39% above the state rate (15.7% against 11.3%).
The warmest month is Jul, averaging 80°F (26.5°C), and the coolest is Jan at 29°F (-1.9°C). About 962 mm (38 inches) of precipitation falls in a year; May is the wettest month (138 mm) and Jan the driest (26 mm). These values come from NASA satellite-based climatology on a grid of about 50 km, so they describe the wider area, not a weather station in the city.
Closest cities in this guide: Lawrence (24 miles, rent 11% higher); Eudora (33 miles, rent 25% higher); Tonganoxie (33 miles, rent 25% higher); Ottawa (38 miles, rent 5% higher). Rent differences are against Topeka; use the Compare tab to put any two cities side by side.
Federal jobs in Kansas (341) →State guide: KansasCountry guideShawnee CountyKansas rankings
These links go to official sources and open in a new window. The first one is the government's or company's own site as listed in Wikidata (property "official website"); check it before relying on it.
There are 341 federal postings open in Kansas (USAJOBS, state level; we do not have a city filter for them). Private-sector jobs are not in this feed.
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 3,260 | 1.14 | $27,810 | $22,670 | $34,890 | -11% |
| Registered Nurses | 3,190 | 1.27 | $81,820 | $67,070 | $104,280 | -16% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 3,090 | 0.96 | $31,470 | $25,290 | $36,580 | -12% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 2,920 | 2.29 | $39,500 | $30,730 | $55,700 | -17% |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,450 | 0.94 | $85,080 | $54,100 | $171,620 | -20% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,340 | 1.21 | $43,180 | $29,460 | $63,920 | -4% |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,270 | 0.78 | $32,820 | $24,710 | $46,690 | -7% |
| Nursing Assistants | 2,270 | 2.10 | $38,720 | $35,080 | $46,430 | -8% |
| Cashiers | 2,240 | 0.98 | $28,580 | $22,520 | $35,100 | -13% |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 2,140 | 0.97 | $49,140 | $31,100 | $55,520 | +22% |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,890 | 0.90 | $36,980 | $29,170 | $47,730 | -1% |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 1,620 | 1.53 | $34,280 | $27,730 | $47,720 | -7% |
| Software Developers | 1,500 | 1.19 | $111,870 | $67,000 | $158,210 | -18% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 1,450 | 0.95 | $58,870 | $46,330 | $77,260 | +0% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 1,420 | 1.32 | $76,280 | $51,540 | $118,080 | -9% |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,380 | 0.84 | $34,860 | $26,230 | $46,920 | -5% |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 1,330 | 0.79 | $35,090 | $17,250 | $62,690 | -0% |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 1,260 | 1.23 | $48,350 | $32,940 | $66,210 | -5% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 1,250 | 1.17 | $61,330 | $46,520 | $88,390 | -12% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,170 | 1.14 | $58,950 | $48,870 | $61,480 | -8% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | 500 | 1.96 | $451,910 | $68,320 | $454,460 | +70% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 500 | 2.07 | $132,740 | $108,930 | $163,660 | +0% |
| Software Developers | 1,500 | 1.19 | $111,870 | $67,000 | $158,210 | -18% |
| Lawyers | 680 | 1.22 | $102,500 | $76,480 | $164,170 | -36% |
| Project Management Specialists | 520 | 0.65 | $100,000 | $60,880 | $152,100 | -2% |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,450 | 0.94 | $85,080 | $54,100 | $171,620 | -20% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | 560 | 1.21 | $81,860 | $50,960 | $126,210 | +3% |
| Registered Nurses | 3,190 | 1.27 | $81,820 | $67,070 | $104,280 | -16% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 650 | 1.07 | $77,390 | $55,690 | $106,870 | -3% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 720 | 1.06 | $76,690 | $49,120 | $113,610 | +1% |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 740 | 0.81 | $76,490 | $43,550 | $125,490 | +6% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 1,420 | 1.32 | $76,280 | $51,540 | $118,080 | -9% |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 1,000 | 1.24 | $75,550 | $43,950 | $125,080 | -9% |
| Management Analysts | 1,090 | 1.63 | $66,710 | $46,180 | $107,810 | -35% |
| Electricians | 510 | 0.91 | $65,520 | $47,590 | $82,100 | +4% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 620 | 0.92 | $65,340 | $37,370 | $124,050 | -17% |
| Training and Development Specialists | 530 | 1.55 | $64,470 | $46,160 | $85,850 | -7% |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | 610 | 1.21 | $63,920 | $47,320 | $97,860 | -16% |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 790 | 0.85 | $63,260 | $35,030 | $120,840 | -10% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 840 | 1.74 | $62,210 | $52,390 | $78,280 | -3% |
These figures are for the whole Topeka, KS metropolitan area, not the city alone.
Median pay across all occupations: $49,540 (US $50,980); unemployment 3.9% (2026M09).
| Industry (residents) ⇅ | Share of employed residents ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.1% |
| Public administration | 10.1% |
| Manufacturing | 9.4% |
| Retail trade | 9.4% |
| Professional, scientific, management, administrative | 8.2% |
| Arts, entertainment, accommodation, food | 8.2% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate | 7.3% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities | 6.8% |
| Construction | 6.0% |
| Other services | 4.5% |
| Wholesale trade | 2.1% |
| Information | 1.9% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining | 1.1% |
Cities have no official GDP or payroll count of their own. These figures are for the county where Topeka lies and cover the whole county, not only the city.
| County ⇅ | Population ⇅ | GDP (2024) ⇅ | GDP per resident ⇅ | Jobs (QCEW 2024) ⇅ | Employer sites ⇅ | Average annual pay ⇅ | Job change vs 2023 ⇅ | Unemployment rate ⇅ | Labour force ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawnee County | 178,025 | $14,584 million | $81,919 | 99,247 | 5,183 | $60,096 | -0.8% | 4.0% | 90,817 |
| Industry ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Share of private jobs ⇅ | Average annual pay ⇅ | Concentration vs US (location quotient) ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 17,852 | 23.0% | $63,597 | 1.25 |
| Retail trade | 8,599 | 11.1% | $34,473 | 0.87 |
| Manufacturing | 8,198 | 10.5% | $70,765 | 1.01 |
| Accommodation and food services | 7,236 | 9.3% | $21,642 | 0.80 |
| Administrative and waste services | 6,037 | 7.8% | $45,716 | 1.03 |
| Finance and insurance | 5,437 | 7.0% | $98,526 | 1.35 |
| Professional and technical services | 5,381 | 6.9% | $75,749 | 0.78 |
| Construction | 4,490 | 5.8% | $70,728 | 0.86 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 3,556 | 4.6% | $57,250 | 0.85 |
| Other services (except public administration) | 3,226 | 4.1% | $50,352 | 1.08 |
| Wholesale trade | 2,667 | 3.4% | $88,857 | 0.68 |
| Management of companies | 1,231 | 1.6% | $136,515 | 0.74 |
| Information | 946 | 1.2% | $74,054 | 0.51 |
| Real estate and rental | 889 | 1.1% | $48,693 | 0.58 |
| Arts, entertainment, recreation | 845 | 1.1% | $19,331 | 0.51 |
| Educational services | 602 | 0.8% | $35,506 | 0.29 |
| Utilities | 466 | 0.6% | $117,101 | 1.23 |
| Mining, oil and gas | 58 | 0.1% | $77,941 | 0.15 |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing | 37 | 0.0% | $37,911 | 0.05 |
QCEW counts jobs covered by unemployment insurance; sectors with too few employers are withheld by BLS. Latest-month unemployment is preliminary.
| How residents get to work ⇅ | Share ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Drive alone | 75.5% |
| Public transit | 0.5% |
| Walk | 1.9% |
| Work from home | 10.9% |
| Commute of 45 minutes or more | 6.0% |
Shares are of workers aged 16 and over; they describe residents, wherever they work.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,956 |
| Income per person | $34,089 |
| Median gross rent per month | $979 |
| Yearly rent as share of median household income | 20.6% |
| Median home value | $144,200 |
| Homeowners | 59.0% |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% |
| Price level of the metro area (US = 100) | 88.8 |
| Metro median pay, all occupations | $49,540 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set; graduated states show 0 until you enter your own estimate. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
State tax: Graduated, top rate 5.58%.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 |
| High school or higher (25+) | 91.7% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) | 29.0% |
| Born abroad | 5.1% |
| Labour force participation (16+) | 60.8% |
Work permits are federal: see permits and first steps.
| Month ⇅ | Mean temperature (°C) ⇅ | Mean temperature (°F) ⇅ | Precipitation (mm) ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -1.9 | 29 | 26 |
| Feb | -0.3 | 31 | 37 |
| Mar | 6.6 | 44 | 59 |
| Apr | 12.8 | 55 | 96 |
| May | 18.4 | 65 | 138 |
| Jun | 23.9 | 75 | 134 |
| Jul | 26.5 | 80 | 100 |
| Aug | 25.4 | 78 | 125 |
| Sep | 20.6 | 69 | 88 |
| Oct | 13.0 | 55 | 83 |
| Nov | 6.2 | 43 | 37 |
| Dec | 0.0 | 32 | 39 |
Satellite-reanalysis climatology on a grid of roughly 50 km, so it smooths local effects (hills, coast, city heat). It is not a weather-station record.
| City ⇅ | State ⇅ | Distance (straight line) ⇅ | Population ⇅ | Median household income ⇅ | Median rent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | KS | 24 mi | 96,051 | $65,009 | $1,091 |
| Eudora | KS | 33 mi | 6,119 | $118,184 | $1,222 |
| Tonganoxie | KS | 33 mi | 5,891 | $80,109 | $1,224 |
| Ottawa | KS | 38 mi | 12,678 | $71,699 | $1,032 |
| De Soto | KS | 41 mi | 6,414 | $104,000 | $1,158 |
| Basehor | KS | 42 mi | 7,491 | $116,769 | $1,257 |
| Bonner Springs | KS | 44 mi | 7,839 | $83,218 | $1,165 |
| Gardner | KS | 44 mi | 24,526 | $96,818 | $1,306 |
| Lansing | KS | 45 mi | 11,246 | $102,786 | $1,406 |
| Leavenworth | KS | 46 mi | 37,195 | $72,987 | $1,229 |
Straight-line distance in miles, not driving distance.
Pick two cities.
vs
125,786 (Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).
$979 a month (ACS 2020–2024), which is 20.6% of the median household income.
$56,956 (ACS 2020–2024, in 2024 dollars).
4.0% (BLS county, Shawnee County (latest month 2026M09)).
Kansas. See the state guide for minimum wage, taxes and pay.