ocity
💰 COL Index: 86 — Very Affordable

Salaries in Topeka, KS

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$66,180
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$77,043
model average ÷ 85.9 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$150,952
City 1BR Rent Reference
$731
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Topeka?

$66,180 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$66,180/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,515/month
Household income context$52,417

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -4% vs national

Marketing Manager

$150,952
💡 Purchasing-power model $175,730
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $72.57/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -4% vs national

Pharmacist

$130,275
💡 Purchasing-power model $151,659
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $62.63/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -4% vs national

Software Developer

$121,876
💡 Purchasing-power model $141,881
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $58.59/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -4% vs national

Construction Manager

$103,632
💡 Purchasing-power model $120,643
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $49.82/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -4% vs national

Project Manager

$96,995
💡 Purchasing-power model $112,916
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $46.63/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Topeka

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (85.9/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $150,952
2 Pharmacist $130,275
3 Software Developer $121,876
4 Construction Manager $103,632
5 Project Manager $96,995
6 Physical Therapist $95,492
7 Financial Analyst $94,821
8 Web Developer $88,826
9 Dental Hygienist $83,827
10 Accountant $82,438
11 Registered Nurse $82,429
12 Data Analyst $79,833
13 Police Officer $71,741
14 Human Resources Specialist $64,788
15 Elementary School Teacher $60,976
16 Plumber $60,670
17 Paralegal $60,095
18 Electrician $58,946
19 Real Estate Agent $58,879
20 Graphic Designer $58,745
21 Firefighter $54,703
22 Carpenter $54,512
23 HVAC Technician $53,315
24 Heavy Truck Driver $50,844
25 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $47,885
26 Insurance Agent $47,885
27 Nail Technician $47,885
28 Cosmetologist $47,885
29 Social Worker $47,885
30 Chef/Head Cook $47,885
31 Auto Mechanic $47,885
32 Veterinary Technician $47,885
33 Personal Trainer $47,885
34 Dental Assistant $47,885
35 Pharmacy Technician $47,885
36 Loan Officer $47,885
37 Welder $47,492
38 Medical Assistant $36,651
39 Security Guard $34,611
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,247

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Topeka salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.599×–1.436× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 85.9 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Topeka

🏠
1BR Rent
$731/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$960/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$199,950
📉
Unemployment
2.9%
💳
Median Income
$52,417
🎓
College Educated
29%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
86
Very Affordable
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Topeka Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Topeka Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Topeka mean on this page?

▼
$66,180 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Topeka workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Topeka?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,515 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Topeka?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Topeka?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.599×–1.436× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Topeka

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

Career Decisions

Make your salary work in Topeka

City analysis

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City analysis

Where Data Analysts Earn the Most After Cost of Living (2026)

Raw data analyst salary is misleading — here's where the pay goes FURTHEST after rent and groceries

City analysis

Where Dental Hygienists Earn the Most After Cost of Living (2026)

Raw dental hygienist salary is misleading — here's where the pay goes FURTHEST after rent and groceries

Career Guides →Cost of Living →Housing Market →Neighborhood Guide →

Explore Topeka Further

🏙️ Topeka City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage