Forbes report: Kansas City is a top 5 metro for high-wage jobs

June 28, 2017  |  Bobby Burch

The Bartle Sky Stations to the southwest of downtown Kansas City. Photo by Hannah Arredondo

Kansas City is atop yet another national list touting its economic vibrancy.

Forbes recently released a report analyzing U.S. cities that create the most high-wage jobs, and Kansas City earned the No. 2 spot. The magazine said the City of Fountains’ low taxes and pro-business regulatory environment helped launch it into the top five cities for high-wage jobs.

“KC, better known in the rest of the country for barbecue and its music scene (though not quite Nashville), has grown a vibrant economy based in good part on service businesses in architecture and innovative administrative support models (especially for health care providers), accounting for some 100,000 jobs in professional and business services,” Forbes’ Joel Kotkin wrote.

The study analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data from the 70 largest labor markets in the country. It evaluated employment in the business services sector over time, looking at short-, medium- and long-term job trends.

Kansas City boasts 469,200 jobs in the business services sector, netting a 9.3 percent growth between 2011 to 2016, according to the report. Its growth in business service jobs outpaces tech hotbeds such as San Francisco and San Jose.

Nashville, Tenn., took the No. 1 spot in the list with 968,800 jobs in the business services sector and a 20.6 percent growth between 2011 to 2016, according to the report. Austin earned the No. 3 spot, San Francisco the No. 4 and Dallas a No. 5 ranking.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2017 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Couple injects $1M ‘financial good’ from RxSS exit to startup special needs initiative; they hope it’s a blueprint for KC

        By Tommy Felts | July 30, 2025

        Michael and Brandy Rea built and successfully exited one of Kansas City’s fastest-growing health tech companies. Now the Rx Savings Solutions founders share a new prescription for impact: creating inclusive housing for adults with disabilities. Shifting from entrepreneurship to philanthropy, the Michael and Brandy Rea Family Foundation contributed a $1 million lead gift to support…

        How this reality TV show helps competing entrepreneurs find their people — not just adversaries

        By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

        It’s five days, 14-hour workdays, and one intense experience aimed at helping entrepreneurs sharpen their businesses. The setup for The Blox — a startup-focused reality TV competition and bootcamp — is crafted to immerse builders in the rigors of real-world business, said Weston Bergmann. Season 17 of the live-in competition show launched in June, emphasizing…

        C2FO named top fintech by CNBC; leaders celebrate win, pushing toward $500B funding milestone

        By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

        A Kansas City fintech’s award-winning efforts to boost working capital access for businesses across the globe not only has built trust among the world’s top enterprises, said Sandy Kemper; it’s positioned C2FO for even greater impact as it transforms the financing landscape for previously overlooked ventures. The company was honored this month as one of…

        David Hensley and Leib Dodell, Bar K

        Bar K dog bar closes all locations, calling out KC riverfront construction, rising inflation

        By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

        Owners of the award-winning Bar K dog bar — a popular destination for four-legged Kansas Citians and their friends — announced its closure Tuesday, after nearly a decade in business that saw the concept expand to St. Louis and Oklahoma City before suddenly shuttering all operations. “We are heartbroken to announce that Bar K will be…