Financial Analyst in Wichita, KS

As a career analyst who’s watched Wichita’s economy from the inside—through the boom of the aerospace sector and its steady diversification—I can tell you that moving here as a Financial Analyst isn’t about chasing coastal salaries. It’s about buying a lifestyle and a career on a value-driven model. Wichita is a city of pragmatism, where your paycheck goes significantly further, and the professional network is tight-knit but deeply connected to the major industries that drive the state’s economy.

This guide is built on hard data and local insight. We’ll break down the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the real-world path to building a financial career here.

The Salary Picture: Where Wichita Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter. For Financial Analysts in the Wichita metropolitan area, the data paints a clear picture of a market that offers a strong cost-of-living-adjusted income, even if the base salary trails national averages.

• Median Salary: $95,891/year
• Hourly Rate: $46.1/hour
• National Average: $99,010/year
• Jobs in Metro: 792
• 10-Year Job Growth: 9%

The first thing to note is the 9% job growth, which is robust for the Midwest and signals a stable, expanding need for financial expertise. The median salary of $95,891 is slightly below the national average of $99,010, but this gap is almost entirely erased when you factor in Wichita’s cost of living, which stands at 89.5 (U.S. average = 100). In practical terms, your $95,891 in Wichita requires about $107,000 in a city with a 100 index to maintain the same standard of living.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries in Wichita scale with experience, but the jumps are more modest than in major financial hubs. Local employers value proven analysts who understand the specific financial rhythms of manufacturing, agriculture, and aviation.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Salary Range (Wichita)	Key Local Employers
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$65,000 - $78,000	Local banks, credit unions, smaller manufacturing firms
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$78,000 - $105,000	Spirit AeroSystems, Ascension Via Christi, City/County Government
Senior	8-15 years	$105,000 - $130,000	Textron Aviation, USD 259, large private equity-backed firms
Expert/Managerial	15+ years	$130,000 - $165,000+	Senior roles at major employers, VP of Finance at mid-sized firms

Comparison to Other Kansas Cities

Wichita is the state's largest metropolitan economy, but not its highest paying. Kansas City dominates for finance, with a higher salary ceiling but also a much higher cost of living. Topeka offers a public sector-heavy market, while Lawrence is a smaller, university-influenced economy.

City	Median Salary (Financial Analyst)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Job Market Notes
Wichita	$95,891	89.5	Largest market (792 jobs), industry-diverse, strong growth.
Kansas City	~$105,000	90.5	Higher salaries, more corporate HQs, but more competition.
Topeka	~$88,000	84.5	Steady government and insurance sector jobs.
Lawrence	~$82,000	85.0	Smaller market, tied to KU and local business services.

Insider Tip: Don’t get hung up on the base salary comparison. The real value in Wichita is the ability to build equity in a home and save for retirement on a mid-five-figure income—something that’s increasingly out of reach in pricier markets.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary of $95,891 sounds solid, but what does it mean for your daily life? Let’s break down a realistic monthly budget for a single Financial Analyst in Wichita, using the median salary.

Assumptions: Single filer, no dependents, using standard deductions for 2024.

• Gross Monthly Pay: $7,991
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, FICA, State): ~$1,950
• Take-Home (Net) Monthly Pay: ~$6,041

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR, Average)	$774	The city-wide average. See neighborhood breakdown below for specifics.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$180	Wichita has moderate utility costs. Winter heating can be higher.
Groceries	$400	Competitive at local chains like Dillons and Walmart.
Health Insurance	$300	Varies by employer; many larger firms offer strong plans.
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Essential for commuting; public transport is limited.
Discretionary Fund	$1,887	This covers dining, entertainment, hobbies, and savings.
TOTAL	$6,041	Leaves a healthy buffer for savings or debt repayment.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Absolutely. With $1,887 in discretionary funds, saving for a down payment is very feasible. The median home price in the Wichita metro is approximately $210,000. A 20% down payment is $42,000. On this budget, saving $1,000/month for a down payment would take 42 months. Many local lenders offer conventional and FHA loans with lower down payment requirements, making homeownership accessible much sooner.

Where the Jobs Are: Wichita's Major Employers

Wichita’s economy is famously diversified, but the financial analyst roles are concentrated in a few key sectors. The 792 jobs in the metro are spread across these major players:

1. Spirit AeroSystems: The city’s largest private employer. Financial analysts here work on cost accounting, program profitability, and government contract compliance (a huge part of their business). Hiring is cyclical but steady, tied to Boeing and Airbus production schedules.
2. Textron Aviation (Cessna, Beechcraft): Another aerospace giant. Analysts focus on divisional P&Ls, inventory valuation, and capital investment analysis for manufacturing facilities. The finance team is based at their East Side campus.
3. Ascension Via Christi Hospital: As the largest healthcare provider in the region, they have a robust finance department. Roles involve budgeting, revenue cycle analysis, and managing financial performance across multiple clinics and the main hospital downtown.
4. Evergy (formerly Westar Energy): The primary electric utility for the region. Analysts here handle regulatory compliance, capital project finance, and long-term financial planning for a stable, regulated industry.
5. Kansas State University / WSU Tech: The universities and their affiliated research institutes employ analysts for grant management, endowment analysis, and departmental budgeting. These roles are often more stable and come with excellent benefits.
6. Wichita Public Schools (USD 259): The state’s largest school district has a significant finance team managing a multi-hundred-million-dollar budget, bond issues, and state funding allocations.
7. Local Banks & Credit Unions: Institutions like Emprise Bank and Credit Union of America have dedicated finance teams for internal analysis, lending portfolio review, and regulatory reporting.

Hiring Trends: The 9% growth projection is driven by continued strength in aerospace and healthcare, alongside growth in the agricultural tech and logistics sectors. The most consistent hiring happens at the mid-career level (3-7 years), where analysts are expected to be self-sufficient from day one.

Getting Licensed in KS

Unlike Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Financial Analysts don’t have a mandatory state license to practice. However, professional certifications are critical for advancement and are often required by employers.

Key Certifications (National, Recognized in KS):

• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): The gold standard for investment analysis. Offered by the CFA Institute. Requires passing three exams (Level I, II, III) and 4,000 hours of qualified work experience.
• FMVA (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst): Offered by the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). Highly practical for roles in corporate finance and valuation.
• Series Licenses (7, 63, etc.): Required if you work directly with securities or for a broker-dealer. Administered by FINRA.

State-Specific Requirements & Costs:

• No state-specific license is required by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner or the Kansas Securities Commissioner for analyst roles.
• CPAs in Kansas must meet specific educational and experience requirements and pass the Uniform CPA Exam. For an analyst, the CPA is valuable if you plan to pivot into accounting or controller roles. The cost for the exam and review courses can range from $2,000 to $4,000.

Timeline to Get Started:

1. Entry-Level: Focus on a bachelor’s in Finance, Economics, or Accounting. No certification is typically required to start, but listing FMVA or having passed CFA Level I on your resume is a major asset.
2. Career Advancement: Plan for 1-2 years to study for and pass the CFA or FMVA. The CFA is a multi-year commitment. Start networking with local CFA Society Kansas City (which covers Wichita) for study groups and events.
3. Licensing for Securities Roles: If you want to work in wealth management or for a broker-dealer, you’ll need to be sponsored by your employer to take the Series 7 and 63 exams. This is a 3-6 month process after hiring.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Wichita is a driving city. Your commute is a key lifestyle factor. Here’s a breakdown of neighborhoods favored by professionals, balancing commute time, amenities, and rent.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why Analysts Love It
Downtown/ Old Town	Urban, walkable, historic. 5-10 min to many office parks.	$900 - $1,300	Proximity to the Intrust Bank Arena, restaurants, and the core financial district. Best for those who want a vibrant social scene.
East Side (Near Central/21st)	Suburban, family-friendly. 15-20 min to most major employers.	$750 - $950	Close to the East Side retail corridor, great public schools, and newer apartment complexes. The most popular choice for young professionals.
West Side (Near NewMarket Square)	Convenient, commercial. 10-15 min commute.	$700 - $850	Excellent access to I-235, shopping, and restaurants. More affordable than the East Side, with a mix of older and newer housing stock.
College Hill	Historic, charming, quiet. 10-15 min commute.	$800 - $1,100	Tree-lined streets, older homes, and a strong sense of community. Popular with professionals who want character over newness.

Insider Tip: If you work at Spirit on the East Side or Ascension downtown, living on the East Side (near 21st and Woodlawn) is the ultimate convenience. The traffic is minimal, and you’re never more than 10 minutes from your office or a dozen good restaurants.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Building a career as a Financial Analyst in Wichita is about leveraging local industry specialization and understanding the path to leadership.

Specialty Premiums:

• Aerospace & Defense: Analysts with experience in FAR/DFARS compliance (federal contracting regulations) can command a 10-15% premium over the median.
• Healthcare Finance: Expertise in Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement models and value-based care analysis is highly sought after at Ascension.
• Agribusiness & Logistics: With Wichita’s central location, analysts who understand commodity pricing, supply chain finance, and agricultural lending (e.g., at Farm Credit Services) can niche down for a stable career.

Advancement Paths:
The typical path is Financial Analyst -> Senior Analyst -> Finance Manager -> Director of Finance -> Controller/VP of Finance. The key differentiator in Wichita is moving from a reporting role to a strategic role. This means mastering not just the numbers, but the operational drivers behind them. For example, a Senior Analyst at Textron who can tie aircraft production efficiency to cost variances becomes indispensable.

10-Year Outlook:
The 9% job growth is a strong indicator. Over the next decade, expect to see:

1. Continued demand in aerospace and healthcare, the twin pillars of the local economy.
2. Growth in tech-adjacent finance roles as Wichita’s agritech and logistics sectors mature.
3. A gradual increase in salaries as competition for mid- and senior-level talent heats up, though it will likely remain below coastal markets.

The ceiling in Wichita is real. You likely won’t become a Wall Street VP here. But you can become a Director of Finance, own a home, and have a high quality of life on a salary that would be a stretch in Chicago or Denver.

The Verdict: Is Wichita Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Exceptional Cost of Living – Your $95,891 salary provides a comfortable lifestyle with homeownership potential.	Limited High-End Finance – Few investment banking, private equity, or hedge fund roles.
Stable, Industry-Driven Job Market – Aerospace, healthcare, and agriculture provide resilient employment.	Social Scene is What You Make It – Not a bustling metropolis; requires effort to build a network.
Low Commute Times – 15-20 minutes is the norm. You gain time back from your day.	Cultural & Diversity Limitations – Less diverse than larger coastal cities.
Tight-Knit Professional Network – Easier to build relationships with senior leaders and across industries.	Weather – Hot summers, cold winters, and tornado season are real considerations.
Gateway to the Midwest – Easy travel to Kansas City, Denver, and Dallas for conferences or weekends.	Slower Pace – Can feel slow if you’re used to a 24/7 city rhythm.

Final Recommendation:
Wichita is an outstanding choice for Financial Analysts who are value-oriented, industry-focused, and seeking work-life balance. It’s ideal for mid-career analysts looking to buy a home, start a family, or escape the grind and cost of major metros. It’s less ideal for those seeking a fast-paced, high-risk/high-reward career in investment banking or a vibrant, 24-hour urban lifestyle. If you want your paycheck to stretch, your commute to be short, and your work to be in tangible, vital industries, Wichita is a hidden gem.

FAQs

1. Is it necessary to have a CFA or CPA to get a job in Wichita?
No, it’s not a strict requirement for entry-level roles. However, for senior positions ($105,000+), the CFA is often preferred (especially in corporate finance at major firms), and the CPA is highly valued if you aim to move into accounting or controller roles. Having these designations significantly accelerates your career trajectory.

2. How competitive is the job market for Financial Analysts in Wichita?
The market is moderately competitive. With 792 jobs and 9% growth, there are opportunities, but they’re not as plentiful as in a city like Kansas City. The key is tailoring your resume to Wichita’s major industries (aerospace, healthcare, agriculture). Networking through local organizations like the Wichita Business Journal or industry mixers is highly effective.

3. What’s the best way to network in Wichita’s finance community?
Wichita’s professional world is relationship-based. Join the CFA Society Kansas City, attend events hosted by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce, and consider volunteering for non-profit boards (many have finance committees). LinkedIn is useful, but in-person coffee meetings are more productive here.

4. Can I live in Wichita without a car?
It’s extremely difficult. Public transportation (Wichita Transit) is limited and not reliable for daily commutes to most business parks (e.g., East Side, NewMarket Square). A car is considered a necessity for working and living in Wichita.

5. What’s the hiring process typically like for a Financial Analyst role?
Expect a multi-stage process: an initial phone screen, often a take-home case study or Excel test (common in aerospace and manufacturing), and multiple in-person interviews. The process can take 3-6 weeks. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the local industry—it’s a major plus if you’ve researched the company’s role in Wichita’s economy.

Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Kansas Department of Labor, Wichita State University Center for Economic Development, Zillow, Numbeo, CFA Institute, Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. All salary figures are based on the provided data and localized industry benchmarks.