Featured Careers
- Welder
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
- Electrician
KANSAS TRADE CAREER DATA
Skilled Trade Careers in Kansas
Explore electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, welder, carpenter, and other skilled trade career opportunities in Kansas. Compare salaries, training requirements, licensing rules, and job outlook.
Salary information
Training pathways
Licensing requirements
STATE WORKFORCE OVERVIEW
Kansas Skilled Trade Snapshot
Training Pathways
- Apprenticeships
- Trade schools
- Employer training
Major Industries
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agriculture Equipment Manufacturing
Career Guide Navigation
Featured Trade Careers in Kansas
Compare selected career paths using available salary, training, and outlook data.
Welder in Kansas
- Median Salary
- $49,410
- Training
- 6 Months–2 Years
- Job Outlook
- +2% (2024–2034)
Industrial Maintenance Technician in Kansas
- Training
- 1–2 Years
- Job Outlook
- +16%（2024–2034）
Electrician in Kansas
- Median Salary
- $61,830
- Training
- 4–5 Years Apprenticeship
- Job Outlook
- +9% (2024–2034)
Kansas Trade Career Guides
Open a state-specific profile for salary, licensing, training, and career requirements.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Kansas Career Guide
Salary Licensing Training
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Carpenter
Kansas Career Guide
Salary Licensing Training
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Welder
Kansas Career Guide
Salary Licensing Training
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HVAC Technician
Kansas Career Guide
Salary Licensing Training
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Plumber
Kansas Career Guide
Salary Licensing Training
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Electrician
Kansas Career Guide
Salary Licensing Training
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Top Trade Careers in Kansas
Kansas offers career opportunities across construction, energy, transportation, maintenance, manufacturing, and other skilled trade industries. Popular trade careers often include electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, carpenters, diesel mechanics, and heavy equipment operators.
Trade Salary Outlook in Kansas
Kansas offers competitive wages for skilled trade professionals across aerospace manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, agriculture equipment production, construction, energy, transportation, and utilities. Earnings vary based on experience, certifications, employer type, union membership, and geographic location. Major employment centers such as Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, and Olathe provide strong career opportunities due to continued industrial investment and infrastructure development.
Training and Apprenticeship Options in Kansas
Kansas provides multiple pathways into skilled trade careers through community colleges, technical colleges, registered apprenticeship programs, employer-sponsored training, labor organizations, and workforce development initiatives. Many skilled trades combine classroom instruction with paid on-the-job experience, allowing workers to gain practical skills while earning income and preparing for industry-recognized certifications.
Kansas Apprenticeship Opportunities
Registered apprenticeship programs are one of the most effective ways to begin a skilled trade career in Kansas. Apprenticeships are available for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, industrial maintenance technicians, welders, construction trades, manufacturing occupations, and agriculture equipment industries. Most programs combine paid work experience with classroom instruction while preparing workers for licensing or industry-recognized certifications.
Licensing Requirements in Kansas
Licensing requirements in Kansas vary depending on the occupation. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and certain construction professionals may require state, county, or local licenses, examinations, certifications, or contractor registration. Workers should verify current licensing requirements with the appropriate Kansas licensing authorities before performing regulated work independently.
Fastest Growing Trade Careers in Kansas
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Electrician
Welder
HVAC Technician
Commercial Plumber
Heavy Equipment Operator
Diesel Mechanic
Automotive Technician
Top Industries Hiring Skilled Trades in Kansas
Skilled trade workers in Kansas may find opportunities across several major industries. Demand can vary by region, economic growth, population trends, infrastructure investment, and employer needs.
Aerospace Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing
Agriculture Equipment Manufacturing
Construction
Energy & Utilities
Transportation & Logistics
Food Processing
Infrastructure & Public Works
Why Kansas Is One of America's Best States for Skilled Trades
Kansas offers outstanding opportunities for skilled trade professionals thanks to its strong manufacturing economy and central location. The state is home to one of the world's largest aerospace manufacturing clusters, major agriculture equipment producers, food processing facilities, utilities, and expanding commercial construction projects. These industries rely on industrial maintenance technicians, electricians, welders, HVAC technicians, plumbers, diesel mechanics, and other skilled workers. Combined with affordable living costs, respected technical colleges, and well-established apprenticeship programs, Kansas provides excellent long-term career opportunities.
Major Cities for Trade Careers in Kansas
Skilled trade opportunities in Kansas are often concentrated around major metro areas, growing suburbs, industrial centers, and regions with strong construction, energy, transportation, and maintenance demand.
Wichita
Overland Park
Kansas City
Topeka
Olathe
Lawrence
Manhattan
Salina
Hutchinson
Garden City
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best trade careers in Kansas?
Industrial maintenance technician, electrician, welder, HVAC technician, plumber, diesel mechanic, heavy equipment operator, and automotive technician are among the most in-demand skilled trade careers in Kansas. Demand is supported by aerospace manufacturing, agriculture equipment production, construction, utilities, and transportation.
Are apprenticeships available in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas offers registered apprenticeship opportunities through employers, technical colleges, labor unions, workforce development agencies, and industry partners across manufacturing, construction, utilities, transportation, and industrial occupations.
Which Kansas cities have the most trade jobs?
Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, Olathe, Lawrence, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, and Garden City are among Kansas's largest employment markets for skilled trade professionals.
Do skilled trades require licenses in Kansas?
Some skilled trades require state, county, or local licenses, certifications, examinations, or contractor registration. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals, and contractors should review Kansas licensing requirements before performing regulated work independently.
Is Kansas a good state for skilled trade careers?
Yes. Kansas's aerospace manufacturing industry, advanced manufacturing sector, agriculture equipment production, utilities, construction market, and transportation network continue to create excellent long-term opportunities for skilled trade professionals throughout the state.