What this means Our calculation
5 of 22 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $103,540. Prices run 10% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.7%) and the population is growing slowly (+1.4% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Manhattan Government data
All 22 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $103,540 | +7% | $114,838 | 50 | #89 |
| Construction Supervisor | $78,660 | +2% | $87,243 | 380 | #160 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,750 | +25% | $85,125 | 40 | #49 |
| Building Inspector | $66,660 | -1% | $73,934 | 50 | #179 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,910 | -1% | $69,774 | 180 | #225 |
| Electrician | $61,170 | -2% | $67,845 | 170 | #224 |
| Plumber | $60,600 | -1% | $67,212 | 200 | #213 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $59,320 | -5% | $65,793 | 40 | #241 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $59,260 | +15% | $65,726 | 50 | #54 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $58,080 | -3% | $64,417 | 360 | #213 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,000 | -3% | $64,329 | 150 | #248 |
| Concrete Finisher | $57,030 | -0% | $63,253 | 130 | #170 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $54,010 | -11% | $59,903 | 70 | #328 |
| Machinist | $51,630 | -10% | $57,264 | 100 | #259 |
| Carpenter | $51,600 | -8% | $57,230 | 300 | #229 |
| Welder | $50,550 | -3% | $56,066 | 180 | #235 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,730 | +2% | $52,938 | 420 | #178 |
| Maintenance Technician | $46,370 | -4% | $51,430 | 570 | #264 |
| Painter | $45,330 | -5% | $50,276 | 110 | #263 |
| Auto Mechanic | $44,410 | -9% | $49,256 | 240 | #357 |
| Pest Control Technician | $38,070 | -14% | $42,224 | 40 | #194 |
| Landscaper | $36,660 | -2% | $40,660 | 440 | #251 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Manhattan
The Manhattan area has about 57,384 homes. 44% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is about as old as most; 20% were built in 2010 or later. 53% of households own their home, and the median home value is $257,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Manhattan Government data
In an average year, Manhattan has 58 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 10 at 100°F or more, 130 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 51 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 89°F and winter nights 20°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Manhattan Muni Airport, KS station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.7% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Manhattan area's population grew 1.4% from 2020 to 2025 (134,201 → 136,122), ranking #235 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -3,853).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Manhattan are up 78% from 2021 to 2025 (278 → 495). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Manhattan area is 17 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 5% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 71% drive alone, 0% take transit and 8% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Kansas Official source
Kansas licenses most trades at the city or county level. Check with the building or licensing office where you plan to work.
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 6.2% of wage and salary workers in Kansas were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#32 of 51 states and D.C.), and 9.0% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Kansas.