Top Hiring Companies in Kansas

Kansas enjoys some considerable economic advantages that make it an ideal state in which to live and work. The state is home to some of the nation’s best universities and technical schools, and residents benefit from low taxes and a pro-business legislative agenda. Kansas is known for innovation in a variety of industries, including its original base in agriculture. Today, the largest sectors are services, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and government, according to the Kansas Department of Commerce, as of February 2020.

Top 20 Kansas Employers

Here is a list of the top 20 employers in the state as of February 2020, including the cities in which they are located and the number of employees to give you a sense of the diversity of industries represented.

This list of the state’s top 20 employers exemplifies the diversity of industries and opportunities within the state. Transportation, logistics, food and grocery, restaurant operation, energy, and aerospace are a few of the industries represented. If you are going to invest your time and funds in an MBA, however, you should further consider how this degree affects your employment prospects.

A Look at the Businesses Hiring MBA Graduates

We used Burning Glass job analytics to find out which employers were posting the most jobs seeking management level candidates who have attained a master’s degree, or a degree higher than a bachelor’s degree in 2019. The following are the top 10 employers and the number of job postings:

1            University of Kansas                           770

2            Anthem Blue Cross                             443

3            U.S. Bancorp                                      267

4            Kansas State University                       264

5            Humana                                             234

6            Department of Veterans Affairs             203

7            Corizon                                              190

8            Wichita Public School                           169

9            Hospital Corporation of America            145

10          Ascension Health                                 140

The healthcare industry accounts for 50% of the top 10 list, followed by academia, which accounts for 30% of the list. Many management and leadership positions in these industries require industry-specific training (as does the military), so let us take a look at the next five top employers outside of these industries to round out your perspective on the in-state career opportunities for Kansas residents with an MBA degree.

15          Black & Veatch                                     123

16          Sprint Corporation                                121

19          Spirit AeroSystems                               108

21          Garmin International Incorporated         100

22          Koch Industries, Incorporated                81

As we break out of the top 10 and go further down the list of employers, the breadth and depth of opportunities is revealed in industries including engineering, construction, telecom, aerospace, and electronics. Aerospace is a leading industry in the state, with Boeing, Cessna, Learjet, and Spirit Aerosystems all operating in Kansas. Technology is a key feature of many of the state’s top employers, so those who revel in the technological transformation of our world should find Kansas a particularly attractive state for employment opportunities.

Economic diversity in a state provides protection from the cyclicality of industries and makes an MBA an even better investment. Still not convinced that earning an MBA and making your home in Kansas are wise choices for your future? Consider that the Cato Institute rates Kansas as tops in the nation for its pro-business regulatory climate, and your career prospects with an MBA look even brighter.

Learn more about Emporia State University’s online MBA program.