More than 1 million people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Kansas City metro’s $145.95 billion economy. But have you ever wondered about KC’s heaviest hitters?
Consider this Kansas City Business 101 — your guide to our region’s eight key industries and 10 major employers.
The key industries
Eight key industries represent the Kansas City metro’s economy, based on data from the Kansas City Area Development Council. We’ve listed them in order of employment numbers.
Shared Services & Operational Centers | 324,600 employees
Think office heroes in sales, management, and admin. With nearly 40% of Kansas Citians holding a four-year degree (4% above the US average), this is where a big chunk of corporate life hums along.
Healthcare | 152,000 employees
From animal health to clinical research, KC is a global leader in drug development, diagnostics, and biotech. The region’s powerhouse network supports both human + animal health companies driving innovation worldwide.
Manufacturing | 118,033 employees
KC is an auto industry heavyweight. Ford and GM plants, plus 70+ suppliers, anchor a sector employing 25,000+ locals alone.
Distribution | 103,230 employees
Smack dab in the middle of the US — a robust, multimodal transportation network makes the metro a logistics magnet. Looks like we owe more to the 435 Loop than just traffic jams.
Financial Services | 83,670 employees
Home to one of 12 Federal Reserve Banks, KC boasts a strong, balanced economy and skilled workforce. Fintech, insurance, and mutual funds thrive here in particular.
Architecture, Engineering + Construction | 80,000 employees
Local firms have had a hand in 27 of 30 NFL stadiums, with giants like Populous shaping iconic venues like the Las Vegas Sphere + the Los Angeles Convention Center. The metro houses 1,200 AEC firms, including the highest concentration of top US design HQs.
Technology | 77,700 employees
Our tech sector is growing faster than the national average, directly contributing almost 10% to the regional economy. One in every 10 workers in KC is employed by the tech industry — with 4,400+ tech companies in the metro, ranging from startups to global enterprises.
Food and Beverage Logistics | 22,000 employees
200+ industrial food and beverage companies call KC home — and it’s not hard to see why. KC’s food and beverage industry continues to thrive with proximity to key agriculture markets, five Class I railroads, and four major interstates.
The major players
Now that we’ve established the major industries, we bet you’re curious about specific names. Whether you’re job hunting (or just “casually prospecting”), here are 10 major employers that employ more than 50,000 workers in the region combined.
Food and Drug Administration
Bioscience | Search jobs
The Kansas City Laboratory — located in Lenexa, KS — is responsible for testing for toxic elements, pesticides, and mycotoxins in food, feed, and dietary supplements.
T-Mobile
Technology | Search jobs
Can you hear us now? This internet access network has a regional office located in Overland Park, KS, plus stores throughout the region.
UMB Financial Corporation
Financial services | Search jobs
This bank offers financial services from checking + savings accounts to wealth management. Fun fact: it was founded in KC in 1913.
Ford Motor Inc.
Distribution, Manufacturing | Search jobs
This assembly facility produces and distributes the Ford F-150 and the Ford Transit. Does that make KC built tough too?
Tyson Foods
Food and beverage industry | Search jobs
The company is the world’s second-largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork.
University of Kansas Health System
Bioscience | Search jobs
If you’ve ventured to Tiki Taco or Prospero’s Books on West 39th Street, you’ve probably noticed one of the nation’s top medical schools looming large just down the road.
Kansas City National Security Campus
Manufacturing, IT | Search jobs
Managed by Honeywell FM&T, this 1.95 million-sqft facility develops ~80% of the non-nuclear components of the US’s nuclear weapons systems.
Burns & McDonnell
Architectural Engineering | Search jobs
Headquartered here in KC, Burns & McDonnell landed No. 7 on Engineering News-Record’s 2025 Top 500 Design Firms list.
Garmin International, Inc.
Distribution, Manufacturing, IT | Search jobs
If you’re old enough to remember buying a GPS separate from your car, you’re likely already familiar with this Olathe-headquartered tech biz.
Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Distribution, Manufacturing | Search jobs
Founded here in 1910, the iconic greeting card company is a fixture of the city’s business landscape — with its headquarters sitting right beside the aptly named Crown Center.
This information is derived from the most recent data published by the Kansas City Area Development Council.
