The Comprehensive Career Guide for Project Managers in Shawnee, KS

As a career analyst who’s watched the Shawnee market for years, I can tell you this: it’s a city that flies under the radar. You won’t find the flashy tech hubs of Overland Park or the downtown bustle of Kansas City, but you will find a stable, affordable market with a surprising depth of opportunity for skilled project managers. Shawnee is a city of builders—literally. With a median salary of $99,244/year ($47.71/hour), it sits slightly below the national average of $101,280/year, but the low cost of living more than makes up for it. This guide is your local blueprint, cutting through the noise to give you the real data, the real neighborhoods, and the real path to a successful project management career here.

The Salary Picture: Where Shawnee Stands

The project management landscape in Shawnee is defined by practical, industrial, and infrastructure roles. You’re not managing app launches; you’re managing construction phases, logistics rollouts, and facility upgrades. The median salary of $99,244 reflects this stable, mid-market demand. While the national average is slightly higher, Shawnee’s job market is tight—there are only about 138 project management job openings in the broader metro area at any given time. This isn’t a volume market; it’s a quality market. Companies here value seasoned, reliable PMs who can handle complex, multi-phase projects without hand-holding.

Insider Tip: The 6% 10-year job growth is modest but steady. This isn’t a boomtown; it’s a “slow burn” market. This means less competition for roles but also fewer opportunities for rapid, job-hopping advancement. Loyalty and deep local knowledge are prized.

Here’s how salary breaks down by experience level in Shawnee:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary (Shawnee)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	$65,000 - $78,000	Project Coordinator, Assistant PM. Supporting schedules, documentation, and stakeholder communications.
Mid-Career	$90,000 - $110,000	Project Manager. Leading mid-sized projects ($1M-$5M), managing dedicated teams and budgets.
Senior	$115,000 - $135,000	Senior PM, Program Manager. Overseeing complex, multi-project portfolios, often in construction or logistics.
Expert/Lead	$140,000+	Director of Project Management, Principal PM. Strategic oversight, client relationship management, P&L responsibility.

How It Compares to Other Kansas Cities:

• Wichita: Slightly lower median (~$95,000), but with a larger aerospace/defense focus (Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems).
• Overland Park (KS side of Metro): Higher median (~$108,000), driven by corporate HQs and tech services. More competitive.
• Topeka: State government roles dominate; median is similar to Shawnee but with a different employer mix.
• Kansas City (MO): The metro-wide median is closer to the national average, but the core urban market is more volatile and competitive.

Shawnee’s advantage isn’t in topping the salary charts; it’s in the value. You earn close to the national average while living in a city where the Cost of Living Index is 93.3 (US avg = 100).

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get concrete. For a single filer earning the median salary of $99,244, the estimated take-home pay after federal, state (Kansas), and FICA taxes is approximately $74,000/year or $6,167/month. This is a conservative estimate; deductions for health insurance, 401(k), etc., will lower this further.

Now, factor in housing. The average 1-bedroom rent in Shawnee is $731/month. This is a game-changer for budgeting.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Median Salary: $99,244)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay (Monthly)	$6,167	After taxes.
Rent (1BR)	$731	Shawnee average. Can range from $650 to $900.
Utilities	$150 - $200	Includes electric, gas, water, internet.
Groceries	$350 - $450	Shawnee has Aldi, Price Chopper, and Hy-Vee.
Transportation (Car)	$400 - $600	Gas, insurance, maintenance. Public transit is limited.
Health & Insurance	$250 - $400	Varies by employer plan.
Debt/Student Loans	Varies	Factor in $250-$500.
Misc. & Savings	~$1,500+	Significant discretionary income remains.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
Absolutely. With a take-home of over $6,000/month and rent at ~$730, you’re building savings capacity quickly. Median home prices in Shawnee hover around $280,000 - $320,000. A 20% down payment ($56k-$64k) is substantial, but with disciplined saving (putting away $2,000/month), you could have a down payment in 2-3 years. Even with a 10% down payment, a monthly mortgage (including taxes and insurance) for a $300k home would be roughly $1,800-$2,000, which is still manageable on a PM’s salary here. The market is stable, not overheated.

Where the Jobs Are: Shawnee's Major Employers

Shawnee’s employment base is anchored in construction, logistics, and healthcare. Project managers here are often employed directly by large firms or by specialized contractors. Here are the key players:

1. Burns & McDonnell (Headquartered in KC, major Shawnee presence): A global engineering, architecture, and construction firm. Their Shawnee office handles major energy, water, and aviation projects. They hire Project Managers and Construction Managers aggressively. Hiring trend: steady growth in renewable energy and transmission projects.
2. Black & Veatch (Overland Park, but major employer in the metro): Another engineering giant. While their HQ is in Overland Park, they employ many Shawnee residents and have large projects in the area. They seek PMs with PMP certification and experience in water, energy, or infrastructure.
3. Shawnee Mission Health (North Kansas City Hospital System): While the main hospital is in Merriam, the system has clinics and facilities in Shawnee. They hire Clinical Project Managers for IT implementations (EHR systems) and facility upgrades. This is a growing niche.
4. Amazon (Lenexa Fulfillment Center): Just south of Shawnee, the massive Amazon facility is a huge employer for logistics and supply chain project managers. These roles focus on process improvement, automation integration, and workforce management. High turnover but excellent experience.
5. Johnson County Government: As part of the county seat, Shawnee has many county employees. The Public Works, Parks & Rec, and IT departments hire project managers for infrastructure, community development, and technology projects. These are stable, government-union roles with great benefits.
6. Local Construction & Development Firms: Companies like McCownGordon Construction (regional HQ in KC) and Monarch Building Group have frequent project starts in Shawnee’s booming residential and commercial sectors. They hire PMs who know local subcontractors and permitting processes.
7. Logistics & Manufacturing: Companies like Yellow Corporation (freight) and smaller manufacturers in the I-35 corridor rely on PMs for operational efficiency and expansion projects.

Insider Tip: Many of the best roles here are never posted on national job boards. They are filled through local networking with the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and industry associations like the Kansas City Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).

Getting Licensed in KS

For project management, formal state licensing is generally not required unless you are managing specific trades (like electrical or mechanical work). However, certification is the name of the game. The most valuable credential is the Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

State-Specific Requirements & Costs:

• PMP Certification (Industry Standard): Requires 36 months of leading projects with a 4-year degree (or 60 months without). Exam cost: ~$405 for members, ~$555 for non-members. Study materials and prep courses add $300-$1,500.
• KS State Contractor’s License: If you move into construction management for your own firm, you’ll need a KS contractor’s license. This involves an exam, bonding, and insurance. The exam is administered by PSI Exams. Cost: Exam fee ~$200, plus licensing fees and bond requirements. Timeline: 2-4 months to study, apply, and get licensed.
• Other Valuable Certs: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) for entry-level, Scrum Master (CSM) for agile environments, and LEED Green Associate for sustainability projects.

Timeline to Get Started:

• If you’re PMP-certified: You’re competitive immediately. Start networking and applying.
• If you’re not certified: Dedicate 3-6 months to study and pass the PMP. The investment is worth it; many Shawnee employers (especially Burns & McDonnell, Black & Veatch) list PMP as a preferred or required qualification.
• For a Contractor’s License: Only pursue if you plan to start your own construction management business. That’s a longer, entrepreneurial path.

Best Neighborhoods for Project Managers

Shawnee is a sprawling suburb with distinct areas. Your choice depends on your commute, lifestyle, and budget. All commute times are to central Shawnee or the I-35 corridor.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For
Old Shawnee Town	Historic charm, walkable to some shops, quieter. 15-20 min commute to most employers.	$800 - $950	PMs who value character and don't mind an older home.
Shawnee Mission Parkway	Central, convenient, mix of apartments and single-family homes. Easy access to I-35/435. 10-15 min commute.	$750 - $900	The practical choice. Great for singles or couples who want everything close.
Northern Shawnee (near 63rd St)	Newer developments, family-oriented, more suburban feel. 20-25 min commute to southern employers (Amazon, etc.).	$850 - $1,000+	PMs planning to start a family soon; larger homes, master-planned communities.
Western Shawnee (near Monticello Rd)	Rural-suburban feel, larger lots, more privacy. Commute can be longer (25-30 min) if working east.	$700 - $850	Budget-conscious PMs who want space and don’t mind a drive.
Southern Shawnee (near Johnson Dr)	Convenient to Overland Park and I-35. More apartments and townhomes. 10-15 min commute.	$700 - $850	Young professionals who want a shorter commute to the busier KS corridor.

Insider Tip: Avoid the immediate area around Shawnee Mission Park if you have a 9-5 office job; the park traffic can be fierce during weekends and events. For a quiet, predictable commute, look at the eastern side of Shawnee (closer to I-435).

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Shawnee, career growth is less about rapid promotions and more about accumulating specialized experience and building a local reputation.

Specialty Premiums:

• Construction PMs: This is the dominant path. Premium skills include knowledge of Primavera P6 (scheduling software), AutoCAD, and local building codes. Experience with public works projects (Johnson County) is a huge plus.
• IT/Software PMs: Less common in Shawnee, but growing. Premiums for Agile/Scrum certification and experience with SaaS platforms. You’ll likely work for a tech company based elsewhere but managing remote teams.
• Logistics/Supply Chain PMs: Premiums for Lean Six Sigma and experience with warehouse automation. The Amazon effect is real here.
• PMP Certification: This is the single biggest salary booster, often adding 10-15% to your base.

Advancement Paths:

1. Project Manager (Technical) -> Senior PM -> Program Manager -> Director of Projects. This is the classic path in engineering firms.
2. Project Manager (Corporate) -> Senior PM -> Portfolio Manager -> VP of Operations. Common in logistics and larger healthcare systems.
3. Project Manager (Government) -> Senior PM -> Department Head. The path in Johnson County government; slower but extremely stable.

10-Year Outlook (6% Growth):
The growth will be in infrastructure, renewable energy, and logistics. As Kansas invests in broadband and clean energy, PMs with those backgrounds will be in high demand. The residential construction boom in Shawnee is likely to slow but not stop, creating steady demand for construction PMs. Your best strategy for long-term growth is to specialize. Become the go-to expert for healthcare IT projects, or for managing solar farm construction in rural Kansas. Generalist PMs will see less premium growth.

The Verdict: Is Shawnee Right for You?

Shawnee isn’t for everyone. It’s a pragmatic choice for a PM who values stability, affordability, and community over high-stakes, high-velocity markets. Let’s break it down.

Pros	Cons
High Value of Salary: $99,244 goes very far with a 93.3 Cost of Living Index.	Limited Job Volume: Only ~138 jobs in the metro; less room for lateral moves.
Stable, Growing Market: 6% 10-year growth is predictable, not volatile.	Niche Specializations: Best opportunities are in construction/logistics, not tech or creative.
Low Housing Costs: Median 1BR rent of $731 is a fraction of national averages.	Car-Dependent: Public transit is minimal; you’ll need a reliable vehicle.
Quality of Life: Safe, family-friendly, excellent schools (Shawnee Mission School District).	Slower Pace: Fewer networking events, conferences, and “scenes” compared to KC core.
Proximity to KC: Access to big-city amenities (sports, culture) within 20 minutes.	Network is Local: Building a career often requires deep local roots.

Final Recommendation:
Shawnee is an excellent choice for a mid-career Project Manager (5-15 years experience) with a background in construction, engineering, or logistics. It’s perfect if you’re looking to buy a home, start a family, or escape the financial pressure of a major metro. It’s a poor choice for an entry-level PM seeking rapid mentorship in a fast-paced tech environment or for a specialist in a field not represented locally (e.g., film production).

Move here if: You value stability, can self-direct your career growth, and want your dollar to stretch. Look elsewhere if: Your primary goal is to be at the cutting edge of industry trends or you need the energy of a dense urban core.

FAQs

Q: What’s the job market like for remote project manager roles while living in Shawnee?
A: Growing, but competitive. Shawnee’s low cost of living attracts remote workers. However, you’ll be competing with PMs in higher-cost cities willing to take pay cuts. Your best bet is to secure a remote role with a company based in a major metro (KC, Chicago, Denver) and leverage Shawnee’s affordability as your personal advantage.

Q: How important is the PMP in Shawnee’s market?
A: Critical for engineering and construction firms. Burns & McDonnell and Black & Veatch often list it as a requirement. For government or logistics roles, it’s a strong preference. Not having it will close doors at top employers.

Q: Are there networking opportunities for project managers locally?
A: Yes, but they are industry-specific. The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce hosts mixers. The PMI Kansas City Chapter holds events (some in Shawnee/Overland Park). CMAA is essential for construction PMs. You have to seek them out.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake newcomers make?
A: Underestimating the need for a car and the local network. You can’t rely on Uber/public transit. And you can’t get the best jobs by applying online alone. Attend a Johnson County government meeting or a construction site tour—get seen.

Q: Is Shawnee’s market saturated?
A: No. The 138 jobs in the metro indicate a tight market, not a saturated one. Employers are picky because they can be. Tailor your resume to the local employers’ needs (highlight public works, local subcontractor experience, etc.).