Wages by Occupation in Lawrence, KS

Pay and jobs by occupation in the Lawrence, KS metropolitan area (BLS, May 2025). BLS counts about 51,750 jobs across all occupations here, with a median annual wage of $47,390 for all occupations combined. 230 occupations have a published median wage in this area.

Education and earnings of residents

Who lives in the Lawrence, KS area and what they earn, by education, from federal survey data (not a measure of any one employer or college).

53.2% of adults 25 and over in this area have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±2.2), compared with 35.7% nationally.

Prices of goods and services here run at 90.2 when the whole U.S. is 100 (housing 71.6; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024; estimates are revised). A higher number means prices are higher on average, not that the area is better or worse.

About 24,880 residents (21.2% of those 3 and older; U.S. 6.6%) are enrolled in college or graduate school, at any school (±1,312; ACS 2020-2024, Table B14001).

The unemployment rate in this area averaged 3.5% in 2025, with a labor force of about 71,987 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted annual average; estimates are model-based and revised).

53.5% of adults 25 to 34 have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±4.3), compared with 39.6% nationally (Table B15001).

Median yearly earnings by education, adults 25 and over who have earnings

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	$30,059	$32,485
High school graduate	$41,747	$40,153
Some college or associate's degree	$45,559	$47,260
Bachelor's degree	$55,954	$70,044
Graduate or professional degree	$67,601	$90,720

Poverty rate by education, adults 25 and over

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	28.6% (±5.5)	24.2%
High school graduate	12.5% (±2.6)	14.4%
Some college or associate's degree	10.8% (±2.4)	9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher	3.8% (±0.9)	4.5%

What residents with a bachelor’s degree studied

Field of first major	This area	United States
Science and engineering	34.3%	36.1%
Science and engineering related fields	9.1%	10.0%
Business	13.8%	20.1%
Education	13.6%	10.9%
Arts, humanities and other	29.3%	23.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, Tables B15003, B20004 (earnings shown only when the margin of error is at most 20% of the value), B23006 (unemployment shown only when every margin is at most 3 points), B17003 (margins of error at the 90% level; poverty shown only when every margin is at most 8 points) and C15010 (the Census Bureau’s own field groups, in a fixed order, not ranked). Describes residents of the area, not a prediction for any person; the Census Bureau has not endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice.

Wages by occupation

Occupation	Jobs	Median annual wage	Mean annual wage	Jobs per 1,000 jobs here	Concentration vs. U.S.
Accountants and Auditors	400	$79,050	$84,810	7.66	0.82
Administrative Services Managers	50	$111,780	$118,680	0.88	0.52
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	220	$26,020	$26,920	4.29	1.68
Animal Caretakers	160	$28,660	$32,960	3.09	1.80
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	90	$91,860	$104,520	1.66	2.42
Architectural and Civil Drafters	30	$60,380	$60,960	0.66	0.99
Architectural and Engineering Managers	60	$156,080	$165,310	1.12	0.79
Athletic Trainers	40	$60,820	$65,490	0.80	4.06
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	50	$36,010	$36,660	1.00	1.52
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	40	$46,240	$52,380	0.75	0.78
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	240	$47,880	$52,900	4.72	1.04
Bakers	60	$32,710	$33,960	1.24	0.82
Bartenders	470	$29,980	$39,160	9.03	1.86
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	630	$48,290	$49,240	12.19	1.38
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	30	$57,590	$60,930	0.58	0.31
Bus Drivers, School	130	$45,930	$44,550	2.50	0.97
Business Operations Specialists, All Other	410	$72,100	$83,530	7.83	1.12
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	150	$169,130	$203,180	2.94	5.57
Butchers and Meat Cutters	50	$39,260	$39,840	0.88	1.00
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	150	$63,770	$71,420	2.81	0.89
Carpenters	280	$59,800	$68,080	5.34	1.24
Cashiers	1,310	$29,270	$29,930	25.25	1.27
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	100	$60,230	$61,290	1.95	1.47
Chefs and Head Cooks	80	$44,700	$48,330	1.47	1.14
Chemical Technicians	—	$60,230	$64,250	—	—
Chemists	60	$96,050	$100,120	1.19	2.23
Chief Executives	60	$164,800	$223,550	1.25	0.95
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	130	$60,980	$64,000	2.56	1.01
Childcare Workers	240	$29,090	$30,110	4.55	1.36
Civil Engineers	150	$97,220	$96,270	2.91	1.23
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	30	$90,170	$88,420	0.66	0.32
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	100	$36,420	$37,120	1.96	0.80
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	70	$76,520	$72,800	1.40	0.65
Coaches and Scouts	150	$52,460	$76,570	2.96	1.85
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	60	$48,700	$48,050	1.25	1.23
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	120	$109,350	$110,120	2.23	11.78
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	90	$45,210	$45,620	1.76	2.55
Compliance Officers	130	$76,700	$75,580	2.50	0.93
Computer and Information Systems Managers	130	$135,920	$154,200	2.48	0.57
Computer Network Architects	90	$85,330	$96,960	1.73	1.50
Computer Network Support Specialists	30	$49,570	$59,700	0.66	0.70
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	30	$51,280	$55,570	0.58	0.54
Computer Occupations, All Other	60	$84,220	$89,870	1.22	0.43
Computer Programmers	60	$84,950	$83,510	1.19	2.01
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$170,660	$165,100	0.81	3.54
Computer Systems Analysts	160	$82,360	$84,600	3.14	0.94
Computer User Support Specialists	270	$56,760	$57,570	5.31	1.15
Construction and Building Inspectors	30	$76,080	$72,860	0.65	0.69
Construction Laborers	280	$47,680	$50,630	5.43	0.77
Construction Managers	110	$121,660	$120,630	2.19	0.90
Cooks, Fast Food	110	$29,700	$30,960	2.09	0.51
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	180	$36,080	$36,760	3.50	1.23
Cooks, Restaurant	690	$35,140	$34,560	13.35	1.47
Cost Estimators	70	$70,630	$79,010	1.42	0.99
Counter and Rental Clerks	120	$43,280	$53,040	2.34	0.91
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	40	$46,760	$48,690	0.87	0.75
Customer Service Representatives	1,090	$37,800	$40,890	21.00	1.26
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	80	$48,130	$46,950	1.48	1.35
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	30	$93,020	$81,170	0.67	0.91
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	150	$22,620	$24,590	2.92	0.84
Dishwashers	130	$27,590	$28,270	2.49	0.81
Driver/Sales Workers	50	$31,940	$33,020	0.98	0.37
Editors	50	$65,460	$71,240	1.02	1.72
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	90	$83,240	$82,400	1.73	0.82
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	420	$140,710	$159,010	8.05	6.94
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	40	$53,680	$56,410	0.74	1.56
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	70	$51,690	$57,450	1.34	1.76
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	230	$50,850	$57,530	4.46	1.96
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	30	$110,180	$99,710	0.59	0.71
Electricians	140	$61,070	$61,020	2.75	0.56
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	450	$50,310	$53,880	8.77	0.98
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	90	$83,490	$98,500	1.80	4.86
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	140	$67,090	$71,090	2.69	0.91
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	310	$34,560	$39,730	5.93	2.85
Facilities Managers	60	$105,070	$114,120	1.07	1.07
Family Medicine Physicians	30	$275,960	$258,430	0.66	0.96
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	50	$50,650	$55,890	0.92	3.78
Fast Food and Counter Workers	2,880	$28,320	$27,970	55.69	2.25
Financial and Investment Analysts	100	$83,260	$83,280	1.89	0.81
Financial Managers	170	$171,290	$177,990	3.25	0.60
Financial Specialists, All Other	50	$48,190	$53,930	0.97	1.14
Firefighters	70	$51,930	$52,370	1.27	0.57
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	200	$78,920	$80,990	3.86	0.74
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services	40	$50,310	$55,030	0.72	1.09
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	50	$128,760	$116,570	0.99	1.56
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	580	$38,440	$42,790	11.27	1.43
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	70	$50,610	$55,220	1.37	1.19
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	40	$61,080	$63,650	0.73	0.87
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	160	$78,710	$82,200	3.16	0.80
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	360	$66,470	$69,020	6.99	0.76
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	100	$102,210	$109,150	1.95	1.96
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	250	$79,800	$77,550	4.78	1.10
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	370	$47,590	$50,480	7.18	1.00
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	130	$58,200	$59,570	2.60	0.65
Food Preparation Workers	350	$31,350	$31,300	6.84	1.19
Food Scientists and Technologists	40	$64,210	$70,950	0.75	8.93
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	130	$26,550	$26,820	2.59	1.37
Food Service Managers	90	$70,290	$75,940	1.68	1.09
Fundraisers	170	$65,820	$78,320	3.25	4.55
General and Operations Managers	850	$85,110	$105,280	16.46	0.73
Graphic Designers	120	$54,290	$56,180	2.32	1.82
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	100	$36,180	$40,990	1.97	1.00
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$109,630	$119,770	0.85	0.60
Healthcare Social Workers	30	$63,010	$64,490	0.65	0.54
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	130	$59,390	$60,630	2.57	0.97
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	420	$59,050	$57,500	8.21	0.62
Helpers--Production Workers	60	$43,420	$42,150	1.12	1.06
Highway Maintenance Workers	40	$53,880	$56,310	0.79	0.79
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	750	$30,700	$33,160	14.45	0.52
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	270	$27,040	$27,750	5.26	1.89
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	80	$30,550	$32,340	1.64	0.97
Human Resources Managers	70	$112,130	$118,170	1.33	0.94
Human Resources Specialists	230	$64,130	$70,080	4.54	0.77
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	—	$60,560	$57,870	—	—
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	160	$66,010	$70,930	3.09	1.09
Industrial Production Managers	60	$126,170	$133,490	1.16	0.73
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	180	$44,650	$45,640	3.39	0.68
Information and Record Clerks, All Other	120	$42,380	$40,560	2.26	2.60
Information Security Analysts	130	$67,010	$89,340	2.47	2.01
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	210	$50,430	$52,430	4.10	1.07
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	30	$45,640	$49,580	0.59	0.52
Instructional Coordinators	340	$61,900	$62,850	6.56	4.48
Insurance Sales Agents	130	$60,120	$75,780	2.45	0.80
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	80	$43,240	$41,740	1.52	1.60
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	600	$34,260	$35,440	11.60	0.82
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	50	$54,400	$53,910	0.90	1.28
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	530	$43,190	$42,620	10.29	0.54
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	360	$38,440	$40,130	6.89	1.13
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	40	$30,120	$30,780	0.71	0.56
Lawyers	140	$103,070	$126,660	2.65	0.55
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	40	$44,770	$43,910	0.69	0.69
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	110	$64,990	$68,640	2.17	2.52
Library Assistants, Clerical	70	$40,270	$39,530	1.35	2.46
Library Technicians	50	$49,400	$50,170	0.97	2.20
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	150	$62,400	$63,980	2.80	0.67
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	80	$29,190	$29,340	1.58	1.56
Light Truck Drivers	260	$42,960	$40,670	5.02	0.79
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	70	$57,890	$56,460	1.32	1.24
Loan Officers	80	$100,480	$114,920	1.49	0.84
Machinists	60	$50,460	$54,500	1.09	0.59
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	300	$33,910	$33,670	5.86	1.06
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	480	$48,020	$50,790	9.33	0.95
Maintenance Workers, Machinery	60	$63,980	$66,320	1.10	2.84
Management Analysts	180	$83,080	$92,810	3.39	0.59
Managers, All Other	170	$103,800	$120,280	3.32	0.83
Manicurists and Pedicurists	110	$28,470	$33,110	2.11	2.15
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	260	$67,060	$79,190	4.99	0.86
Marketing Managers	80	$148,550	$149,680	1.46	0.58
Massage Therapists	40	$48,880	$52,060	0.81	1.27
Mechanical Engineers	60	$94,990	$103,670	1.23	0.64
Medical and Health Services Managers	170	$127,760	$139,750	3.28	0.85
Medical Assistants	210	$37,170	$38,240	4.05	0.77
Medical Records Specialists	70	$47,590	$52,350	1.33	1.06
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	270	$44,010	$42,820	5.27	0.85
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	70	$53,120	$60,070	1.37	1.49
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	230	$59,400	$57,330	4.45	1.12
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	350	$45,330	$43,520	6.71	0.74
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	60	$46,800	$49,430	1.16	1.91
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	120	$80,770	$89,290	2.36	1.17
New Accounts Clerks	50	$47,240	$46,550	0.90	3.78
Nurse Practitioners	100	$126,650	$126,700	1.99	0.96
Nursing Assistants	540	$38,520	$39,390	10.48	1.13
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	40	$109,740	$103,310	0.70	0.78
Occupational Therapists	50	$101,060	$100,440	1.00	0.96
Office Clerks, General	30	$31,040	$35,910	0.61	0.04
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	120	$60,080	$63,690	2.40	0.78
Operations Research Analysts	40	$87,380	$85,120	0.79	1.13
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	30	$47,620	$46,640	0.61	1.34
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	160	$46,840	$44,850	3.00	1.23
Packers and Packagers, Hand	90	$44,370	$39,810	1.77	0.49
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	90	$39,190	$43,100	1.73	1.19
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	110	$52,530	$52,900	2.15	0.85
Parts Salespersons	90	$37,910	$45,680	1.67	0.96
Personal Financial Advisors	170	$91,780	$125,420	3.21	1.87
Pharmacists	160	$133,880	$118,770	3.01	1.45
Pharmacy Technicians	180	$39,620	$42,540	3.44	1.13
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	30	$105,820	$109,920	0.60	4.57
Phlebotomists	40	$45,590	$44,640	0.75	0.81
Physical Therapists	110	$99,620	$97,370	2.14	1.24
Physician Assistants	30	$126,340	$122,450	0.62	0.60
Physicians, All Other	80	$432,860	$357,470	1.45	0.66
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	130	$59,280	$63,480	2.48	0.83
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	200	$63,380	$67,260	3.92	0.91
Postal Service Mail Carriers	100	$70,530	$67,790	1.84	0.87
Prepress Technicians and Workers	80	$48,490	$49,350	1.59	10.35
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	90	$35,530	$38,980	1.76	0.57
Printing Press Operators	500	$41,890	$44,400	9.59	10.34
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	170	$59,010	$54,780	3.21	1.28
Project Management Specialists	150	$93,420	$102,670	2.96	0.43
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	110	$61,330	$76,240	2.10	1.05
Public Relations Specialists	170	$58,040	$66,120	3.34	1.83
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	70	$63,020	$66,270	1.39	0.94
Real Estate Sales Agents	80	$37,740	$42,990	1.61	1.30
Receptionists and Information Clerks	260	$35,410	$35,570	4.99	0.85
Recreation Workers	210	$31,760	$33,000	3.99	1.87
Registered Nurses	700	$78,020	$83,840	13.52	0.62
Rehabilitation Counselors	50	$41,980	$43,130	1.02	1.68
Residential Advisors	50	$46,950	$45,550	0.95	1.75
Retail Salespersons	1,430	$31,320	$34,330	27.68	1.10
Sales Managers	180	$189,740	$193,170	3.39	0.83
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	360	$78,410	$86,660	6.92	0.86
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	320	$75,560	$82,430	6.11	0.77
School Psychologists	30	$84,740	$77,720	0.59	1.43
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	370	$62,080	$60,050	7.16	1.04
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	1,230	$42,630	$43,660	23.71	2.16
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	30	$78,460	$97,400	0.67	0.21
Security Guards	160	$35,080	$35,240	3.04	0.37
Self-Enrichment Teachers	70	$39,590	$41,200	1.38	0.65
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	180	$44,090	$43,940	3.56	0.68
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	50	$33,070	$33,550	1.02	0.64
Social and Community Service Managers	90	$79,990	$86,040	1.81	1.34
Social and Human Service Assistants	360	$45,040	$47,900	6.92	2.46
Software Developers	410	$104,990	$113,070	8.02	0.74
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	70	$48,930	$56,880	1.42	0.85
Speech-Language Pathologists	50	$85,130	$86,190	0.93	0.79
Stockers and Order Fillers	950	$36,340	$35,990	18.42	1.01
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	170	$64,370	$64,800	3.20	1.01
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	80	$36,940	$40,670	1.62	0.48
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	590	$22,360	$26,440	11.46	1.26
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	80	$60,380	$61,530	1.62	1.79
Tellers	120	$37,450	$38,830	2.27	1.07
Training and Development Specialists	220	$64,770	$66,710	4.29	1.46
Tutors	200	$23,630	$27,790	3.92	3.49
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	40	$44,930	$39,930	0.77	7.58
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	50	$37,720	$38,730	0.96	1.18
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	40	$46,700	$46,970	0.79	0.95
Waiters and Waitresses	1,190	$37,230	$42,210	23.01	1.58
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	80	$60,530	$57,320	1.60	1.94
Web Developers	40	$78,080	$88,000	0.79	1.76
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	70	$48,180	$51,370	1.36	0.51

Colleges in this area

4 colleges in the federal directory have a campus in this area, listed alphabetically; MajorPays does not rank colleges. Each name links to the college’s profile.

College	Type	Level	Students, fall 2024
Baker University	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	2,017
Haskell Indian Nations University	Public	4-year or above	978
University of Kansas	Public	4-year or above	29,792
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Lawrence	Private for-profit	2-year	37

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS directory (HD 2024, core-based statistical area of the campus) and Fall Enrollment 2024 (total headcount). A count of students is the size of the college, not its quality; the Department has not endorsed this presentation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, metropolitan area estimates (cross-industry, all ownerships). Wages are pay for all workers in an occupation in this area, not any one person or employer; a dash means BLS does not publish the figure (often to protect privacy or because the estimate is unreliable), and “or more” marks a wage at or above BLS’s top reporting limit. Concentration is the BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of jobs in this area divided by its share nationally (1.00 = the same share as the U.S.; above 1.00 = a larger share); it says nothing about pay or openings. Jobs per 1,000 is the occupation's jobs per 1,000 jobs of all kinds in this area. Occupations that BLS reports only as hourly wages are not listed, and BLS shows some wages above its top limit as plain numbers while others read “or more”. Occupations are listed alphabetically; click a heading to sort. MajorPays does not rank places or occupations. MajorPays selected and reorganized these figures; the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not approved or endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice. See Data sources.

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