Compensation is not the only reason manufacturing candidates accept or decline an opportunity, but it is one of the fastest ways to lose an otherwise qualified person. The table below provides a neutral starting point for compensation discussions across the Kansas City, Missouri–Kansas metropolitan area.
Kansas City wage benchmarks
| Occupation | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial machinery mechanics | $27.80 | $33.06 | $38.21 | $68,770 |
| Millwrights | $35.70 | $43.93 | $46.40 | $91,380 |
| General maintenance and repair workers | $21.14 | $23.49 | $29.56 | $48,860 |
| Machinists | $22.91 | $27.28 | $30.81 | $56,740 |
| Tool and die makers | $30.49 | $41.22 | $45.02 | $85,740 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $23.19 | $27.58 | $34.32 | $57,370 |
| Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers | $23.54 | $30.29 | $37.70 | $63,000 |
| CNC tool operators | $22.35 | $24.52 | $30.19 | $51,010 |
| CNC tool programmers | $27.78 | $34.22 | $37.00 | $71,180 |
| Electrical/electronic engineering technicians | $29.05 | $35.70 | $44.55 | $74,250 |
| Electro-mechanical/mechatronics technicians | $27.48 | $30.29 | $39.16 | $63,000 |
| Industrial engineers | $40.09 | $48.31 | $60.50 | $100,480 |
| Mechanical engineers | $40.06 | $47.90 | $58.17 | $99,630 |
| Production and operating supervisors | $29.29 | $37.06 | $45.45 | $77,080 |
Hourly and annual figures are cross-industry estimates for the Kansas City, MO–KS metropolitan area. They are not recommended offers and do not account for shift differentials, overtime, bonuses, union status, certifications, industry, plant conditions, benefits or the specific level of experience required.
How employers should use the data
- Compare the actual requirements of the position—not only the job title—to the closest occupational category.
- Add shift premiums, overtime expectations and travel requirements before deciding whether the opportunity is competitive.
- Be transparent about the range early. Skilled candidates often disengage when compensation is withheld until late in the process.
- Review the complete offer: health costs, paid time off, schedule predictability, tool allowances, training and advancement can materially affect acceptance.
These figures provide context, not a promise of compensation. Individual offers vary based on experience, credentials, shift, industry and the employer's compensation structure.
Have one position the market is not responding to?
Kilnstone Talent Solutions provides focused contingency recruiting for manufacturing and skilled-trades positions. There is no upfront recruiting fee; the standard direct-hire placement fee is 15%, subject to an executed client agreement.
Discuss One Priority PositionSource and methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
- Kansas City, MO–KS cross-industry wage table, accessed September 20, 2026.