Kansas City is well-known for savory barbecue and an amazing jazz scene, but KC is also starting to generate interest for the engineering and manufacturing jobs market. Urban cores like Houston, Milwaukee, San Jose and Dayton are considered the likely candidates for new manufacturing and engineering jobs but those cities proving more expensive and less fulfilling for younger residents. A new grad is likely to pull down a significant salary in these areas but has to use that salary to pay the ever-increasing rent and can never really hope to buy a house down the line. Start-ups, manufacturing companies and engineering firms that are seeking to attract a more experienced work force are choosing Kansas City because the region offers more housing options and a better cost-of-living for those seeking a place to work and call home.
The Kansas City region isn’t a one-note town that caters only to manufacturing specialists, technologists or engineers. It offers a diversity of technology and engineering opportunities. According to the American City Business Journals, the top 25 highest paying jobs in Kansas City include Aerospace Engineers (No. 25) and Engineering Managers (No. 15). This type of variety means the region isn’t dependent on one type of industry and therefore can promote growth no matter the mood of the economy. This diversity inherent to the KC jobs market also allows for well-established companies to put down roots in the area. Some cities have a major stakeholder that provides the bulk of job prospects, but Kansas City boasts 12 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in the region, and more than 50 Fortune 500 companies have a significant presence.
Tech employment is not likely to grow in areas that are over-saturated, but in areas that have room to grow. Kansas City recruiting firms have been eager to point out that the city is ranked as one of the top cities for creating new tech jobs, rivaling other top tech growers such as Denver and Salt Lake City. The leaders in the area have announced big revenues and projects. Burns & McDonnell, an energy engineering firm, has announced that they expect to hire an additional 600 employees this year alone, and the largest engineering firm in the KC region, Black & Veatch, had revenues over $3 billion last year. This type of significant growth and prosperity certainly speaks well of the region’s overall economic health.
Kansas City might not be on every job seeker’s mind but it’s fast on its way to being a top choice for new employment. A Kansas City recruiting firm, such as Austin Nichols Technical Search, has a plethora of opportunities to offer those who haven’t yet considered the Greater Kansas City Area as a place to live and work. Good food, great music, and a hip downtown arts and entertainment scene makes KC a fantastic option for people seeking a cultured city to call home, while still being able to afford a place to live that suits their individual interests.
As a premier Kansas City recruiting firm since 1988, Austin Nichols has served clients in a variety of fields. Austin Nichols specializes in direct hire and contract recruiting for manufacturing, engineering, and technical positions.
