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

        Streetwear-infused runway show hits 10 year-mark, building fashion family along the way

        By Tommy Felts | May 20, 2025

        High fashion met heartfelt passion on the runway Sunday with the return of the The Kritiq Fashion Show — a celebration of creativity, entrepreneurship and community spirit that not even a global pandemic (or family pressures) could undress. “This is our 10th year,” said Mark Launiu, co-founder of The Kritiq, as well as the Kansas…

        Goodwill’s ‘adult high school’ in KC just scored major funding wins (and hired its first leader)

        By Tommy Felts | May 20, 2025

        A first-of-its kind adult high school in the region hit two big funding milestones this month, said organizers of the Excel Center, announcing six-figure financial contributions from the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, as well as a key hire. Led by Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas (MoKan…

        KC job fair explores how AI can be a tool for women job seekers, not another workforce threat

        By Tommy Felts | May 20, 2025

        For women competing within today’s hiring landscape — an environment riddled with opportunities and challenges linked to artificial intelligence — it’s critical to master cutting-edge job application tools, said Erin Cole. “It’s about accessibility,” said Cole, chief development officer for Women’s Employment Network (WEN), a partner of the OneKC for Women alliance. “WEN is built…

        EquipmentShare launches new flagship store with $21M investment in Grain Valley

        By Tommy Felts | May 20, 2025

        A Missouri unicorn is building impact even closer to Kansas City, opening its new 49,000-square-foot Midwest hub for construction and industrial work in eastern Jackson County. The project reflects an investment of more than $21 million by Columbia, Missouri-based EquipmentShare, said Jabbok Schlacks, CEO and co-founder, describing the property costs, value of equipment and salaries…