Project Manager in Manhattan, KS

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Project Managers considering a move to Manhattan, Kansas.

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A Career Analyst's Guide to Manhattan, KS for Project Managers

Manhattan, Kansas—often called the "Little Apple"—is a unique blend of college town energy, military presence, and agricultural heartland. For a Project Manager (PM), this translates into a stable, growing job market with a lower cost of living than national averages. This guide breaks down the real numbers, local employers, and lifestyle factors to help you decide if Manhattan is the right move for your career.

The Salary Picture: Where Manhattan Stands

Let’s cut straight to the data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market analysis, the median salary for a Project Manager in the Manhattan metro area is $98,332/year, with an hourly rate of $47.27/hour. This sits slightly below the national average of $101,280/year, a common adjustment for Midwestern cost-of-living differences.

The job market is stable but not explosive. There are approximately 107 Project Manager jobs active in the metro area at any given time, with a 10-year job growth projection of 6%. This indicates steady demand, primarily driven by public institutions, construction, and agribusiness, rather than the tech boom seen in coastal cities.

Experience-Level Breakdown:
While the median is a solid benchmark, salaries vary significantly with experience. The table below provides a more detailed look at what you can expect based on your tenure.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Employers for This Level
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$65,000 - $80,000	Local construction firms, city/county government, smaller tech startups
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$85,000 - $105,000	Manhattan-Ogden USD, KSU, major healthcare systems
Senior-Level (8-12 yrs)	$110,000 - $130,000	Corporate R&D (e.g., Bayer), engineering firms, advanced manufacturing
Expert/Lead (15+ yrs)	$135,000+	Executive roles in large construction, senior university administration, specialized consulting

How Manhattan Compares to Other Kansas Cities:
Manhattan’s salary is competitive within the state, especially when you factor in its lower cost of living.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Industries
Manhattan	$98,332	90.3	Education, Agriculture, Military
Wichita	$102,150	85.2	Aviation, Manufacturing, Healthcare
Kansas City	$105,800	92.5	Tech, Finance, Logistics, Healthcare
Topeka	$95,500	86.5	Government, Healthcare, Insurance

Insider Tip: While Wichita’s median salary is higher, Manhattan’s job market is less volatile. The presence of Fort Riley (a major Army post) and Kansas State University (KSU) provides a recession-resistant employment base. The 6% growth rate is more reliable than the boom-bust cycles seen in resource-dependent cities.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $98,332 looks strong on paper, but the real question is your purchasing power. Manhattan’s affordability is its biggest selling point.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Filer, No Dependents):
Using a $98,332 annual salary, here’s a realistic monthly estimate:

• Gross Monthly Pay: ~$8,194
• Estimated Taxes (Fed, State, FICA): ~$2,100
• Net Monthly Pay: ~$6,094
• Average 1BR Rent: $817
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Savings: ~$5,277

This leaves a very comfortable buffer. Compared to a national average 1BR rent of ~$1,500+, Manhattan’s $817/month rent means you’re saving an extra ~$700 monthly simply on housing.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Absolutely. With a median home price in Manhattan hovering around $250,000 - $280,000 (as of 2023), a Project Manager earning $98,332 is in a strong position. A 20% down payment ($50,000-$56,000) is achievable with disciplined saving, and a monthly mortgage payment would likely be comparable to rent. The local market is stable, with modest appreciation, making it a sensible long-term investment rather than a speculative one.

Where the Jobs Are: Manhattan's Major Employers

Job hunting in Manhattan requires knowing which doors to knock on. The market is dominated by a few large, stable employers. Here are the key players:

1. Kansas State University (K-State): The city’s largest employer. PM roles are found in facilities management, IT (especially with the new cybersecurity program), research grant administration, and construction (ongoing campus expansion). Hiring is cyclical, aligned with the academic calendar and grant cycles.
2. Fort Riley / U.S. Army: A massive economic engine. Civilian PM jobs exist in the Army’s Directorate of Public Works, logistics, and IT modernization projects (e.g., the new Network Enterprise Center). These positions are federal, offering excellent benefits and job security but often require security clearance.
3. Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District (USD 383): The second-largest employer. They hire PMs for technology integration, new school construction, and curriculum implementation projects. The district is growing with the city, leading to steady project pipelines.
4. Bayer (formerly Monsanto): A major player in crop science R&D. They employ PMs in research facility management, IT infrastructure, and agricultural technology projects. This is a hub for specialized PMs with a science or engineering background.
5. Manhattan Regional Hospital & Ascension Via Christi: The two main healthcare providers. They need PMs for electronic health record (EHR) implementations, facility expansions, and process improvement initiatives. The healthcare sector is consistently growing.
6. City of Manhattan: The municipal government hires PMs for public works projects (street repairs, water systems), parks and recreation development, and city-wide technology upgrades. These jobs offer great benefits and a direct impact on the community.

Hiring Trends: The market is not fast-paced. The average time-to-hire can be 2-3 months, especially for public sector roles. Networking through the local Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and PMI Manhattan Chapter is more effective than cold-applying online.

Getting Licensed in KS

Unlike some states, Kansas does not have a state-specific Project Manager license. Professional certification is handled by national bodies, but the state does have requirements for related fields.

• Key Requirement: For construction PMs, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Division of Building and Fire Codes requires a Construction Contractor license for any project over $2,000. This is not a PM license per se, but a business license for firms performing work.
• Recommended Certifications: The PMP (Project Management Professional) from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is the gold standard and is universally recognized in Kansas. No state-specific adaptation is needed.
• Cost & Timeline: The PMP exam costs $405-$555 (PMI member/non-member). Study time varies, but most candidates spend 2-3 months preparing. The application process can take up to 5 days for review, and scheduling the exam is immediate thereafter.
• Local Resources: The Kansas State University College of Business offers PMP prep courses. The PMI Manhattan Kansas Chapter provides networking and study group opportunities.

Best Neighborhoods for Project Managers

Your choice of neighborhood will define your commute and lifestyle. Manhattan is compact, so commutes are short, but amenities vary.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For...
Aggieville	Historic, walkable, college-centric. 5-10 min drive to KSU/Fort Riley.	$750 - $950	Young professionals, those who want nightlife and walkability.
West Manhattan	Suburban, family-oriented. 10-15 min drive to most employers.	$800 - $1,100	PMs with families, those seeking more space and quiet.
South Manhattan	Mixed residential/commercial. Easy access to I-70 and the main hospital.	$750 - $950	Good balance for commuters to Fort Riley or the business district.
North Manhattan	Older, established, more affordable. 10-15 min to downtown.	$650 - $850	Budget-conscious PMs who don’t mind a shorter commute.
Midtown / Downtown	Growing area with new apartments and lofts. Walkable to restaurants.	$900 - $1,200	Urban-minded PMs who want to be in the heart of the action.

Insider Tip: Parking in Aggieville can be a nightmare on game days (K-State football). If you value predictable commutes, West or South Manhattan are safer bets. For the best value, North Manhattan offers lower rents without sacrificing too much convenience.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Manhattan, career growth for a PM is less about jumping to a new company every two years and more about deepening expertise within an institution.

• Specialty Premiums: Certifications pay off. A PMP can command a 10-15% salary premium. Specialized knowledge in IT project management (especially cybersecurity) or agricultural technology is in high demand and can push you toward the $130,000+ range. Experience with federal contracting (Fort Riley) is a highly valued niche.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from Project Coordinator -> Project Manager -> Senior PM -> Program Manager or Director of Operations. In Manhattan’s stable employers (KSU, City, USD), advancement often means taking on larger, more complex projects (e.g., a $50M campus building) rather than title changes. Moving from the public sector (City, School District) to private (Bayer, healthcare) can yield a significant salary bump, but often at the cost of work-life balance.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% job growth is promising. As Manhattan diversifies its economy beyond agriculture, expect more PM roles in tech, renewable energy (wind/solar projects), and advanced manufacturing. The long-term stability of the university and military base ensures the core job market remains robust.

The Verdict: Is Manhattan Right for You?

Manhattan, KS is not for everyone. It’s a specific type of place that rewards those who value stability, affordability, and community over high-octane career ladders.

Pros	Cons
High purchasing power (Low cost of living vs. median salary)	Limited high-end job market (few Fortune 500 HQs)
Extremely stable job market (KSU, Fort Riley)	Can feel isolated; 2-hour drive to Kansas City for major events
Short, easy commutes (Average <15 mins)	Limited diversity in specialized PM roles (e.g., no major fintech)
Vibrant college-town culture and sports scene	Public school system quality can be variable by district
Outdoor access (Flint Hills, lakes, trails)	Winters can be harsh and windy

Final Recommendation:
Manhattan is an excellent choice for mid-career Project Managers (5-15 years experience) seeking to build wealth and stability without the stress of a high-cost coastal city. It’s ideal for those in construction, IT, education, or public sector project management. If you are an early-career PM seeking rapid, diverse experience in cutting-edge tech, you might find the market limiting. For a senior PM looking to buy a home, save aggressively, and enjoy a slower pace of life, Manhattan offers a compelling, data-driven case.

FAQs

1. What is the job market like for PMs in Manhattan right now?
The market is stable but not frenetic. There are always about 107 openings, primarily in education, government, and healthcare. The 6% long-term growth is a good sign, but you should expect a deliberate hiring process.

2. How does the cost of living really feel on a $98,332 salary?
It feels very comfortable. After taxes and rent for a one-bedroom apartment, you have over $5,000 left for other expenses and savings. This allows for a high quality of life, including dining out, travel, and saving for a home.

3. Do I need a car in Manhattan?
Yes, almost definitively. While parts of Aggieville and Downtown are walkable, and KSU has a bus system, the city is spread out, and Fort Riley is not accessible without a vehicle. Public transit is limited.

4. Is Manhattan a good place for a PM with a family?
Yes, it is. The strong public school system (USD 383), low crime rates, affordable housing, and community-focused activities make it very family-friendly. The West and South neighborhoods are particularly popular with families.

5. What’s the biggest surprise for newcomers?
The "Flint Hills" landscape. The rolling, tallgrass prairie is unexpectedly beautiful and offers endless outdoor recreation. The second surprise is the strength of the local economy—it’s not just a college town; it’s a diversified hub with real, stable industries.