The Web Developer's Guide to Overland Park, Kansas

Look, I've been writing about tech careers in the Kansas City metro for over a decade. Overland Park isn't the flashiest name on the map, but for web developers who value a high quality of life without sacrificing career opportunities, it's a secret weapon. Let's cut through the noise and get you the data you need.

The Salary Picture: Where Overland Park Stands

First, the numbers. The median salary for a Web Developer in Overland Park is $90,885/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.69/hour. This is slightly below the national average for web developers, which sits at $92,750/year. However, don't let that 2% gap fool you. When you factor in the cost of living—which is 93.3 (US avg = 100)—your paycheck goes significantly further here than in coastal tech hubs.

The metro area supports 394 active jobs for web developers, and the 10-year job growth projection is a healthy 16%. This isn't a boomtown; it's a stable, growing market. You're not chasing the next crypto bubble here; you're building a sustainable career.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience in the local market:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$65,000 - $78,000	Front-end frameworks, basic full-stack work, bug fixes
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$80,000 - $105,000	Feature development, API integration, mentoring juniors
Senior (5-8 yrs)	$105,000 - $130,000	System design, tech lead duties, cross-team projects
Expert/Principal (8+ yrs)	$130,000+	Architecture, strategic planning, high-level decision-making

How Overland Park compares to other Kansas cities:

• Kansas City, MO (Downtown): Salaries are 5-10% higher, but the commute (via I-35 or I-435) can be brutal, and the cost of living is notably higher.
• Topeka: Lower salaries (by ~12%) and a smaller tech job market (fewer than 200 postings).
• Wichita: A manufacturing-focused economy with a developing tech scene; salaries are comparable, but the industry mix is different (more automotive, aerospace).

Insider Tip: The $90,885 median is pulled from the entire metro. In Overland Park specifically, established companies and healthcare tech firms often pay at the upper end of these ranges to compete with Kansas City's core.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. You're considering a move; what does your budget actually look like?

Using the median salary of $90,885, your monthly take-home pay after federal and state taxes (assuming you file single with no dependents) is approximately $5,450. (Note: This is an estimate; use a KS-specific paycheck calculator for precision.)

The average 1BR rent in Overland Park is $839/month. This is a key advantage.

Here’s a sample monthly budget for a mid-level Web Developer:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Net Monthly Income	$5,450	After taxes.
Housing (1BR Rent)	$839	1BR average.
Utilities	$150	Includes electric, gas, water, internet.
Groceries	$350	Based on USDA low-cost food plan.
Transportation	$250	Car payment, gas, insurance. (Public transit is limited.)
Health Insurance	$250	Varies widely by employer.
Savings (15%)	$1,363	Recommended 15% of gross for retirement.
Discretionary/Food Out	$1,248	After all fixed costs.
Remaining Buffer	$0	This is a tight budget.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, but with caveats. The median home price in Overland Park is roughly $375,000. A 20% down payment is $75,000. With a salary of $90,885, you'd likely qualify for a mortgage, but your monthly housing payment (including taxes and insurance) would jump to ~$2,200-$2,400, which is a significant increase from rent. It's feasible, especially for dual-income households, but requires aggressive savings for the down payment.

Insider Tip: Look in the 74th & Metcalf or 119th & Roe corridors for newer, more affordable apartments. If you're set on buying, the 48th & Mission area (south of I-435) often has older, more affordable starter homes that are still within a 15-minute commute to major employment hubs.

Where the Jobs Are: Overland Park's Major Employers

The job market isn't defined by startups here; it's defined by stable, established companies and healthcare systems. Here are the key players hiring web developers:

1. Cerner (now part of Oracle Health): While headquartered in Kansas City, MO, a massive portion of its workforce lives and works in Overland Park. They have offices along the I-435 corridor and hire for front-end, back-end, and full-stack roles. Hiring is steady but competitive; they value security and reliability.
2. Burns & McDonnell: A massive employee-owned engineering firm. Their web teams support internal tools, client portals, and a sprawling corporate website. Salaries are excellent, and the company culture is famously stable.
3. Yellow (formerly YRC Worldwide): A major trucking and logistics company based in Overland Park. Their IT department is large and constantly needs developers to maintain their complex web-based logistics and tracking systems.
4. Nexsen Pruet: A large law firm with a significant Overland Park office. They have an in-house IT team that manages their public-facing website, client portals, and internal web applications. It's a different pace than tech but offers great benefits.
5. University of Kansas Health System (The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend, etc.): With a major campus in Overland Park, the health system's IT department is a huge employer. They need developers for patient portals, electronic health record (EHR) integrations, and public health websites. The work is mission-driven and highly secure.
6. Commerce Bank: A regional bank headquartered in Kansas City with a strong Overland Park presence. Their digital banking team needs developers for their web and mobile banking platforms, focusing on security and user experience.
7. Garmin: While their headquarters is in Olathe (just south of Overland Park), it's a core part of the local tech ecosystem. They hire web developers for their corporate site, e-commerce platform, and internal applications.

Hiring Trends: The demand is steady. Companies aren't on massive hiring sprees, but turnover is low, so positions open consistently. There's a growing emphasis on developers who understand both legacy systems (like those used at Yellow or Burns & McDonnell) and modern frameworks (React, Vue, Angular).

Getting Licensed in KS

Good news: Web developers do not need a state license to practice in Kansas. There is no equivalent to a "Professional Engineer" license for software development.

The only potential cost is professional certifications, which are optional but can boost your resume:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect: ~$150 exam fee.
• Google Analytics or Cloud certs: ~$100-$200 each.
• Scrum Master (CSM): ~$1,000 for the training course.

Timeline to Get Started: If you're moving for a job, your timeline is dictated by your offer and relocation. If you're searching for a job, the process is straightforward:

1. Update your resume and portfolio (1-2 weeks).
2. Apply to roles on LinkedIn, Indeed, and company career pages (ongoing).
3. Interview process (typically 2-4 weeks from first call to offer).
4. No state-specific paperwork is required. Just your degree or equivalent experience and your work authorization documents.

Insider Tip: While not required, joining the Kansas City Web Development Meetup group on Meetup.com is the single best way to start networking. It's 90% Kansas City professionals, and the commute from Overland Park is easy.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Overland Park is a sprawling suburb. Your commute and lifestyle will depend heavily on where you live. Here's the breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Devs
South Overland Park (159th & Blackbob)	Family-oriented, newer builds, quiet. Commute to major employers is 15-25 mins on I-435.	$950/month	More space for your money. Good for remote/hybrid workers who want a home office.
Central Overland Park (95th & Metcalf)	The commercial core. Walkable to shops/bars, busier. Commute is 5-15 mins to most offices.	$880/month	Best for those who want a shorter commute and social life after work. Proximity to the Overland Park Convention Center.
Southwest Overland Park (135th & Quivira)	Residential, close to the Johnson County Community College (JCCC).	$850/month	Great for junior devs taking night classes at JCCC. A bit quieter, but central.
North Overland Park (75th & Metcalf)	Older, more established area, closer to the Kansas City line.	$820/month	Cheapest rents, but commute to southern employers (like Garmin) can be longer.
Brookside (Technically KC, MO, but a 10-min drive)	Historic, walkable, vibrant. More urban feel.	$1,100/month	Not Overland Park, but a popular option for devs who want city life while working in OP. Rent is higher.

Insider Tip: If you're renting, avoid the immediate area around the College Boulevard and Metcalf intersection for apartments. The traffic noise is intense. Look a block or two off the main roads for the same amenities with less noise.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Overland Park, career growth is less about revolutionary jumps and more about steady advancement within a stable industry.

Specialty Premiums:

• Full-Stack (Node.js/React): The most versatile and in-demand skill set. No significant premium, but the highest job security.
• UI/UX-Focused Front-End: Growing demand in healthcare and banking. Can command a 5-10% premium over a pure code-focused developer.
• DevOps/Cloud (AWS/Azure): A critical need at companies like Burns & McDonnell and Cerner. This is where you'll find the biggest salary upside, potentially 15-20% above the median.
• Legacy Systems (Java, .NET): Not sexy, but essential. Companies like Yellow and many banks run on these. Mastery can make you indispensable and lead to senior architect roles.

Advancement Paths:
The typical path is: Junior Developer → Mid-Level → Senior Developer → Tech Lead/Manager → Director of Engineering. The "Expert/Principal" track (deep technical specialization) is also common at larger firms like Cerner.

10-Year Outlook:
The 16% job growth is a solid indicator. Overland Park's economy is tied to logistics, healthcare, and finance—all industries that are increasingly digital. As these sectors modernize, the need for web developers will grow. The biggest risk is a major company (like Cerner) moving its HQ, but the strong local presence and talent pool make that unlikely in the next decade. You can expect a steady, reliable career with gradual salary increases that outpace inflation.

The Verdict: Is Overland Park Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $90,885 salary feels like $103,000 in the average US city.	Not a "Tech Hub": Fewer startups, less networking, fewer conferences.
Stable, Diverse Job Market: Healthcare, finance, logistics, engineering.	Car-Dependent: Public transit is limited; you'll need a car.
Excellent Schools & Family Life: Top-rated Johnson County school districts.	Cultural Activities: More limited than a major city (though KC is a short drive).
Short Commutes: Average 20-minute commute is the norm.	Salary Ceiling: Top-end salaries are lower than in coastal metros or even Austin/Denver.
Outdoor Access: Overland Park's 80+ parks and the nearby Kansas City "boulevard" system.	Weather: Hot, humid summers and cold, sometimes icy winters.

Final Recommendation:
Overland Park is an excellent choice for a web developer who values stability, affordability, and work-life balance over chasing the highest possible salary. It's ideal for:

• Early-career developers looking to build a strong resume without high costs.
• Mid-career professionals wanting to buy a home and start a family.
• Anyone seeking a low-stress, predictable tech career.

It's not the best fit for those who thrive on the energy of a startup scene, prioritize walkable urban living, or are targeting the absolute top-tier salaries.

FAQs

Q: Is the tech scene in Overland Park growing or shrinking?
A: It's growing steadily, not exploding. The 16% 10-year growth is a testament to that. You won't see the hype you might in Austin, but you're also far less likely to be laid off in a market correction.

Q: Do I need to live in Overland Park to work there?
A: No. Many developers live in the nearby Kansas City, MO, neighborhoods (like Waldo or Brookside) or even in Lawrence (30-minute commute). The traffic flow is generally into Overland Park in the morning, so reverse commutes are easier.

Q: What's the interview process like at a large company like Cerner?
A: Expect a multi-stage process: recruiter screen, technical screening (often a live coding challenge or take-home project), team interview (behavioral and technical), and a final interview with leadership. It's thorough and can take 3-6 weeks.

Q: How important are degrees here?
A: Less important than in the coasts. While many jobs list a CS degree as required, the market is hungry for talent. A strong portfolio and demonstrable skills often trump a degree. Community colleges like JCCC offer excellent, affordable web development programs.

Q: What's the best way to find a job here?
A: LinkedIn is king. Set your location to "Overland Park, KS" and filter for "web developer." Burns & McDonnell and Yellow post primarily on their own career pages. For healthcare roles, check The University of Kansas Health System's job board directly. Networking via the KC Web Dev meetup is a powerful secondary strategy.