If you want to begin a healthcare career in Kansas, the time could not be any better. According to the latest annual report from the Kansas Department of Labor, medical field jobs are among the best options in the state for long term work. Kansas’s rate of growth is in line with the nationwide trend for healthcare. Demand for new professionals is near record levels in most locations. In still better news for anyone thinking about getting into the industry, according to the (2018 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey JOLTS), there are presently at least one million unfilled job openings (nearly 50% of the total) for healthcare personnel in the U.S.
About healthcare careers in Kansas
The 18% growth forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics over the next decade makes the health industry one of the best fields of work in the nationwide labor market. The historic expansion in the health industry is being pushed by the United States’s need to take care of its’ aging adult population. This situation has created an abundance of options for aspiring workers of all qualifications.
The Best Healthcare Schools in Kansas
| School Name / Website | Address | School Type | # of Students | # of Undergrads | Grad Rate | Transfer-Out Rate | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen County Community College | 1801 N Cottonwood, Iola, Kansas 66749 | 2-year, Public | 2556 | 2556 | 30% | 33% | $7,251 |
| Baker University | 618 Eighth Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006-0065 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2694 | 1771 | 57% | 12% | $22,393 |
| Barton County Community College | 245 NE 30th Road, Great Bend, Kansas 67530 | 2-year, Public | 4228 | 4228 | 31% | 35% | $9,246 |
| Bellus Academy | 1130 Westloop Place, Manhattan, Kansas 66502-2838 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 191 | 191 | 86% | NA | $20,923 |
| Benedictine College | 1020 N 2nd St, Atchison, Kansas 66002-1499 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2166 | 2085 | 63% | 2% | $24,766 |
| Bethany College | 335 E Swensson St, Lindsborg, Kansas 67456-1897 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 775 | 775 | 47% | 39% | $23,856 |
| Bethel College-North Newton | 300 E 27th St, North Newton, Kansas 67117-1716 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 503 | 503 | 42% | NA | $21,519 |
| Butler Community College | 901 S Haverhill Rd, El Dorado, Kansas 67042-3280 | 2-year, Public | 8828 | 8828 | 23% | 29% | $7,871 |
| Central Christian College of Kansas | 1200 S Main, McPherson, Kansas 67460-5740 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 865 | 865 | 22% | 23% | $8,986 |
| Cleveland University-Kansas City | 10850 Lowell Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 492 | 39 | 100% | NA | $16,883 |
| Cloud County Community College | 2221 Campus Dr, Concordia, Kansas 66901-1002 | 2-year, Public | 1873 | 1873 | 36% | 53% | $10,587 |
| Coffeyville Community College | 400 W 11th St, Coffeyville, Kansas 67337-5064 | 2-year, Public | 1802 | 1802 | 40% | 28% | $5,764 |
| Colby Community College | 1255 S Range, Colby, Kansas 67701 | 2-year, Public | 1345 | 1345 | 47% | 22% | $8,025 |
| Cowley County Community College | 125 S 2nd St, Arkansas City, Kansas 67005 | 2-year, Public | 2875 | 2875 | 37% | 22% | $9,440 |
| Dodge City Community College | 2501 N 14th Ave, Dodge City, Kansas 67801-2399 | 2-year, Public | 1773 | 1773 | 42% | NA | $7,704 |
| Donnelly College | 608 N 18th St, Kansas City, Kansas 66102 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit | 360 | 360 | 9% | 20% | $8,059 |
| Emporia State University | 1 Kellogg Circle, Emporia, Kansas 66801-5415 | 4-year, Public | 5732 | 3605 | 45% | 29% | $14,013 |
| Flint Hills Technical College | 3301 W 18th St, Emporia, Kansas 66801-5957 | 2-year, Public | 1137 | 1137 | 61% | 3% | $14,227 |
| Fort Hays State University | 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601-4099 | 4-year, Public | 15100 | 12494 | 44% | 29% | $12,196 |
| Fort Scott Community College | 2108 S Horton, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 | 2-year, Public | 1792 | 1792 | 28% | 25% | $6,390 |
| Friends University | 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kansas 67213 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1628 | 1146 | 34% | NA | $21,304 |
| Garden City Community College | 801 Campus Dr, Garden City, Kansas 67846-6333 | 2-year, Public | 2064 | 2064 | 31% | 32% | $7,853 |
| Grantham University | 16025 West 113th Street, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 9303 | 7816 | 38% | NA | $11,251 |
| Haskell Indian Nations University | 155 Indian Ave, Lawrence, Kansas 66046-4800 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Public | 806 | 806 | 45% | 49% | $3,434 |
| Hesston College | 301 South Main, Hesston, Kansas 67062-2093 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit | 440 | 440 | 55% | 30% | $19,641 |
| Highland Community College | 606 W Main, Highland, Kansas 66035-4165 | 2-year, Public | 3260 | 3260 | 29% | 34% | $7,052 |
| Hutchinson Community College | 1300 N Plum St, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501 | 2-year, Public | 5854 | 5854 | 38% | 25% | $8,117 |
| Independence Community College | 1057 West College Avenue, Independence, Kansas 67301-0708 | 2-year, Public | 897 | 897 | 22% | 46% | $5,891 |
| Johnson County Community College | 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, Kansas 66210-1299 | 2-year, Public | 18638 | 18638 | 22% | 20% | $12,114 |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | 7250 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas 66112 | 2-year, Public | 5825 | 5825 | 27% | NA | $12,986 |
| Kansas State University | 919 Mid-Campus Drive, Anderson Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506 | 4-year, Public | 22795 | 18488 | 63% | 25% | $17,465 |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | 100 E. Claflin Ave., Salina, Kansas 67401-6196 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 791 | 693 | 32% | 55% | $25,631 |
| Labette Community College | 200 S 14th, Parsons, Kansas 67357-4201 | 2-year, Public | 2005 | 2005 | 22% | NA | $7,257 |
| Manhattan Area Technical College | 3136 Dickens Ave, Manhattan, Kansas 66503-2499 | 2-year, Public | 922 | 922 | 53% | NA | $12,200 |
| McPherson College | 1600 E. Euclid, McPherson, Kansas 67460-1402 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 733 | 725 | 36% | NA | $21,954 |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University | 2030 E College Way, Olathe, Kansas 66062-1899 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1888 | 1308 | 51% | NA | $19,803 |
| National American University-Garden City | 801 Campus Drive, Garden City, Kansas 67846-6333 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 48 | 48 | NA | NA | NA |
| National American University-Overland Park | 10310 Mastin, Overland Park, Kansas 66212-5451 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 207 | 207 | 0% | NA | NA |
| National American University-Wichita | 7309 E 21st Street North, Suite G-40, Wichita, Kansas 67206-1097 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 130 | 130 | NA | NA | NA |
| National American University-Wichita West | 8428 West 13th Street North, Suite 120, Wichita, Kansas 67212-2976 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 90 | 90 | NA | NA | NA |
| Neosho County Community College | 800 W 14th St, Chanute, Kansas 66720 | 2-year, Public | 1977 | 1977 | 30% | 31% | $9,064 |
| Newman University | 3100 McCormick Ave, Wichita, Kansas 67213-2097 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 3378 | 2810 | 52% | NA | $14,663 |
| North Central Kansas Technical College | 3033 US Highway 24, Beloit, Kansas 67420 | 2-year, Public | 853 | 853 | 71% | NA | $11,828 |
| Northwest Kansas Technical College | 1209 Harrison St, Goodland, Kansas 67735 | 2-year, Public | 896 | 896 | 65% | 6% | $9,714 |
| Ottawa University-Kansas City | 4370 W. 109th Street Suite 200, Overland Park, Kansas 66211 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 396 | 345 | NA | NA | NA |
| Ottawa University-Online | 1001 South Cedar, Ottawa, Kansas 66067 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 193 | 157 | NA | NA | NA |
| Pittsburg State University | 1701 S Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 | 4-year, Public | 6907 | 5706 | 47% | NA | $13,841 |
| Pratt Community College | 348 NE SR 61, Pratt, Kansas 67124 | 2-year, Public | 1114 | 1114 | 35% | 25% | $8,283 |
| Rasmussen College-Kansas | 620 SW Governor View, Topeka, Kansas 66606 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 376 | 376 | NA | NA | $19,535 |
| Salina Area Technical College | 2562 Centennial Road, Salina, Kansas 67401 | 2-year, Public | 598 | 598 | 76% | 4% | $7,189 |
| Seward County Community College | 1801 N. Kansas Ave., Liberal, Kansas 67901 | 2-year, Public | 1746 | 1746 | 40% | 16% | $7,244 |
| Southwestern College | 100 College Street, Winfield, Kansas 67156-6224 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1306 | 1147 | 41% | NA | $22,279 |
| Sterling College | 125 W. Cooper, Sterling, Kansas 67579 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 697 | 697 | 39% | 41% | $20,147 |
| Tabor College | 400 S Jefferson, Hillsboro, Kansas 67063-1799 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 770 | 711 | 38% | NA | $23,815 |
| University of Kansas | Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 | 4-year, Public | 27625 | 19338 | 63% | 28% | $18,365 |
| University of Saint Mary | 4100 S 4th St, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048-5082 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1310 | 748 | 44% | 40% | $20,839 |
| Washburn Institute of Technology | 5724 SW Huntoon, Topeka, Kansas 66604-2117 | < 2-year, Public | 1393 | 1393 | 66% | NA | $11,044 |
| Washburn University | 1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66621-0001 | 4-year, Public | 6691 | 5873 | 39% | 34% | $13,170 |
| WellSpring School of Allied Health-Lawrence | 947 New Hampshire, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-3073 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 24 | 24 | 69% | NA | $11,743 |
| Wichita State University | 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, Kansas 67260-0124 | 4-year, Public | 15075 | 12398 | 48% | 30% | $13,541 |
| Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | 4004 N Webb Rd. Bldg 100, Wichita, Kansas 67226 | 2-year, Public | 4267 | 4267 | 43% | 6% | $12,750 |
| Wichita Technical Institute | 2051 South Meridian, Wichita, Kansas 67213-1927 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 1,012 | 1,012 | 57% | NA | $17,156 |
Kansas Healthcare entry-level jobs
Even though most people view doctors and other professional-level positions as average healthcare workers, the truth is that the vast majority of people employed in the industry work in either nursing or Healthcare Support Occupations (41,310 in Kansas). With an annual median salary of $28,310, these entry-level workers take home a solid salary for jobs which don’t demand a four-year college education.
The section below features 10 popular healthcare occupations in Kansas, as well as their job outlook, and median wages.
| Kansas Healthcare Careers | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 620 | 33.43 | 69530 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 3000 | 14.34 | 29820 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 4030 | 15.22 | 31660 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 7350 | 20.32 | 42260 |
| Medical Records and Health Information Technicians | 2260 | 18.46 | 38400 |
| Home Health Aides | 2990 | 11.79 | 24520 |
| Nursing Assistants | 22590 | 12.16 | 25290 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 570 | 27.52 | 57250 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 1210 | 25.50 | 53040 |
| Dental Assistants | 2860 | 17.12 | 35610 |
| Medical Assistants | 4740 | 14.98 | 31160 |
| Phlebotomists | 1030 | 15.72 | 32690 |
Taking the first step towards your first healthcare career in Kansas
Almost all medical field employers prefer to employ entry-level candidates who recently graduated from some type of professional training program. This makes the completion of an accredited training program and some type of professional credential is a vital step for anyone considering a career in healthcare.
With regards to healthcare support programs, the majority can be finished in one year or less.
Getting the appropriate allied health training in KS
To review local training programs for some of Kansas’s entry-level healthcare careers, click any of the links shown below. Click one of the job names shown below for more information about that profession.
- CNA programs in Kansas
- Dental assistant classes in Kansas
- EMT courses in Kansas
- HHA programs in Kansas
- LPN training in Kansas
- Medical assistant classes in Kansas
- Medical billing & coding training in Kansas
- Pharmacy technician programs in Kansas
- Phlebotomy programs in Kansas
- Ultrasound technician classes in Kansas
Where to search for medical jobs in Kansas
Though it is possible to get Healthcare Support jobs in pretty much every corner of Kansas, the Kansas City region of the state has the greatest concentration of opportunities. Most of these positions (25,700) are in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Major towns and cities in Kansas where there is a large volume of healthcare job opportunities are:
- Kansas City, MO-KS
- Lawrence, KS
- Manhattan, KS
- Topeka, KS
- Wichita, KS