Overview Salaries

Salaries in Hays, KS

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in Hays, KS?

The average salary in Hays, KS is $53,970 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Hays, KS, showing an average salary of $53,970 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Hays, KS, showing an average salary of $4,498 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Hays, KS, showing an average salary of $1,038 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Hays, KS, showing an average salary of $26 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Hays, KS, offers a variety of salary options across different fields. The average yearly salary in Hays is $53,970. Many people find jobs that pay well, with plenty of opportunities in various industries. People with higher education often earn more, while those just starting out can also find good pay.


Here are some common salaries in Hays, KS:

  • Around 28.73% earn around $24,000.
  • Another 22.85% earn about $35,455.
  • About 11.48% make around $46,909.
  • 8.60% earn approximately $58,364.
  • Another 7.94% make about $69,818.
  • Some professionals earn between $81,273 and $150,000.
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What are the best paying jobs in Hays, KS?

Hays, KS, offers several top-paying job opportunities for professionals. Registered Nurses earn the highest average salary at $84,004. This role involves providing patient care and collaborating with healthcare teams. Retail Sales Associates also earn a strong average of $66,596, offering ample opportunities for those in customer service and sales. Other high-paying jobs include Licensed Practical Nurses, making $65,459, and Case Managers, who average $51,075 annually. These roles require specific skills and often involve helping people in need, which can be fulfilling career choices. Hays provides a variety of well-paying jobs, making it a good place for professionals to find rewarding employment.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Hays, KS, highlighting Registered Nurse with the highest at $84,004 and Special Education Paraprofessional with the lowest at $28,730.

  1. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $84,004
    Provide patient care in a professional setting. Work in hospitals or clinics with local healthcare providers. Enjoy a stable job with good benefits and opportunities for growth.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Hays, KS


  2. Retail Sales Associate
    Average Salary: $66,596
    Help customers find what they need. Work in local stores and shopping centers. Gain experience in customer service and sales. Enjoy a flexible schedule and the chance to meet new people.
    Find Retail Sales Associate jobs in Hays, KS


  3. Licensed Practical Nurse
    Average Salary: $65,459
    Assist with patient care under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. Work in hospitals or private practices. Gain practical experience and the opportunity to grow your nursing career.
    Find Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Hays, KS


  4. Case Manager
    Average Salary: $51,075
    Coordinate care for patients and help them through the healthcare system. Work with hospitals and social service agencies. Enjoy the chance to make a real difference in people's lives.
    Find Case Manager jobs in Hays, KS


  5. Certified Nursing Assistant
    Average Salary: $37,755
    Provide basic patient care under the supervision of nurses. Work in hospitals or long-term care facilities. Enjoy a rewarding job with opportunities for advancement in the healthcare field.
    Find Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Hays, KS


  6. Cook
    Average Salary: $33,220
    Prepare meals in a restaurant or cafeteria setting. Work in local dining establishments. Enjoy a steady job with the chance to develop culinary skills.
    Find Cook jobs in Hays, KS


  7. Team Member
    Average Salary: $31,833
    Help customers in a retail or service setting. Work in local stores or restaurants. Gain experience in customer service and teamwork. Enjoy a flexible schedule and the chance to meet new people.
    Find Team Member jobs in Hays, KS


  8. Customer Service Representative
    Average Salary: $30,303
    Help customers with inquiries and complaints. Work in call centers or local businesses. Gain experience in communication and problem-solving. Enjoy a stable job with opportunities for advancement.
    Find Customer Service Representative jobs in Hays, KS


  9. Special Education Paraprofessional
    Average Salary: $28,730
    Support teachers in special education settings. Work in schools with children who have special needs. Enjoy a rewarding job that makes a positive impact on students' lives.
    Find Special Education Paraprofessional jobs in Hays, KS

What are the best paying jobs in Hays, KS without a degree?

In Hays, KS, several jobs offer good pay without needing a college degree. For example, servers earn an average of $34,338 a year. Baristas make around $30,314 annually, while line cooks bring in about $28,420 per year. Server assistants and housekeeping staff earn about $27,836 and $26,225 each year, respectively. Each of these roles provides a solid income. They also offer valuable work experience and opportunities to learn new skills. This makes them great choices for job seekers who want to start earning quickly.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Hays, KS without a degree, highlighting Server with the highest at $34,338 and Housekeeping with the lowest at $26,225.

  1. Server
    Average Salary: $34,338
    This role involves serving food and drinks to customers. Workers need to take orders, answer questions about the menu, and ensure a good dining experience. Many restaurants and cafes hire servers.
    Find Server jobs in Hays, KS


  2. Barista
    Average Salary: $30,314
    Baristas prepare coffee and other drinks in cafés. They must know how to operate coffee machines and create various coffee drinks. This job is common in coffee shops and restaurants.
    Find Barista jobs in Hays, KS


  3. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $28,420
    Line cooks work in the kitchen, preparing ingredients and cooking food quickly and efficiently. They work in fast-paced environments, often in restaurants or cafeterias.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Hays, KS


  4. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $27,836
    Server assistants support servers by setting tables, cleaning up, and restocking. They work in busy dining areas, helping to keep the service running smoothly.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Hays, KS


  5. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $26,225
    Housekeeping staff clean and maintain rooms in hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities. They must be thorough and detail-oriented, ensuring a comfortable environment for guests.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Hays, KS

Which companies offer the top salaries in Hays, KS?

Hays, KS, offers a variety of companies with competitive salaries. Good Samaritan stands out with an average salary of $56,334. This hospital provides rewarding opportunities for those seeking better pay. High Plains Mental Health Center also offers a solid average salary of $53,246, making it a notable employer in the area. HaysMed and KVC Health Systems follow with average salaries around $51,000 and $42,860, respectively. These companies value their employees and provide good compensation. HAYS USD 489 and Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. offer lower average salaries, around $37,687 and $34,078. However, they still provide important roles in the community. Job seekers can find several options in Hays with various salary levels.
Graph displaying company salaries in Hays, KS, highlighting Good Samaritan with the highest at $56,334 and Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. with the lowest at $34,078.

  1. Good Samaritan
    Average Salary: $56,334
    Good Samaritan is a leading non-profit organization that offers a range of health care services. The company places a strong emphasis on community care and employs a dedicated staff.


  2. High Plains Mental Health Center
    Average Salary: $53,246
    High Plains Mental Health Center provides critical mental health services to the community. They focus on offering comprehensive care and support to those in need.


  3. HaysMed
    Average Salary: $51,047
    HaysMed is a well-known healthcare provider in Hays. The company offers a variety of medical services and employs a skilled workforce committed to patient care.


  4. KVC Health Systems
    Average Salary: $42,860
    KVC Health Systems is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. They provide mental and behavioral health services and support various community needs.


  5. HAYS USD 489
    Average Salary: $37,687
    HAYS USD 489 is a school district that provides educational services. They focus on delivering quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment.


  6. Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc.
    Average Salary: $34,078
    Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. offers services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The company aims to enhance the lives of those they serve through dedicated care.

How does the cost of living in Hays, KS compare to the national average?

Hays, KS, offers a lower cost of living compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. The overall cost of living index in Hays stands at 86. This figure indicates that residents in Hays generally spend about 14% less on living expenses than the average American. Examining individual categories, Hays shows significant savings in housing, with an index of 72, translating to a 28% reduction from the national average. Despite this, categories like groceries, healthcare, and utilities remain close to the national average, with indices ranging from 85 to 92. This balanced distribution suggests that while Hays offers notable benefits in housing, other living expenses are fairly consistent with the nationwide metrics.
Cost of living comparison graph for Hays, KS vs. Nationwide: housing 28% lower, groceries 8% lower, utilities 15% lower, transportation 13% lower, healthcare 8% lower, miscellaneous 10% lower.

Hays, Kansas, shows a lower cost of living compared to the nationwide average, making it an attractive option for many job seekers. The cost of living index for Hays is set at 86, which means it costs 14% less overall than the national average, which is indexed at 100. This significant reduction is primarily due to the housing index, which stands at 72. This means that housing costs in Hays are 28% lower than the national average.


In addition to housing, other areas like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous items also show a cost advantage in Hays. For example, groceries cost 8% less, utilities are 15% cheaper, and transportation costs are 13% less than the national averages. Healthcare, while still competitive, is only 8% cheaper. Miscellaneous expenses are about 10% lower. These figures provide a clear picture that Hays offers a cost-efficient lifestyle in several key areas.

There are 167 job openings in Hays, KS, today!

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Hays, KS
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