Life In Emporia, Kansas
Nestled in the heart of the iconic Flint Hills, Emporia is a city that remains a bustling hub of industry–from world class pet food manufacturing, to the "Disneyland of Disc Golf, " to incredible local parks and the zoo. Whether you're a remote worker seeking gigabit fiber and historic charm or an outdoor enthusiast ready to tackle the world’s premier gravel bike race, Emporia offers a rare blend of deep rooted tradition and a surprisingly modern, entrepreneurial spirit.
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Key Employers in Emporia
Newman Regional Health
Ranked as one of the top critical access hospitals in the U.S., Newman Regional is the primary healthcare provider for Lyon County. With nearly 400 employees, it offers specialized services like cardiology and orthopedics that you’d typically only find in much larger metros.
Explore careers at Newman Regional Health
(Image Source: Newman Regional Health)
#employers
Simmons Pet Food
As the city’s largest private employer, Simmons operates a massive, state of the art facility that anchors Emporia’s role in the "Global Animal Health Corridor." With over 1,400 employees, they are a cornerstone of the local economy and a leader in North American pet food manufacturing.
Learn more about career opportunities at Simmons
(Image Source: Simmons Pet Food)
Employment Guide
If you're looking to learn more about the employer landscape in Emporia, this Employment Guide is a great place to start. We’ve rounded up many of the region’s top employers and fastest-growing industries to help you get a feel for the local job market and spot opportunities that align with your skills. Click through to explore who’s hiring and what makes Emporia a strong place to build a career.
Emporia State University
Emporia State University is one of Emporia’s largest and most influential employers, serving as a hub for education, research, and community engagement in east-central Kansas. As a public university with a long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching and teacher education, ESU plays a vital role in shaping both the local workforce and future generations of leaders.
The university offers a wide range of career opportunities across academic departments, student services, administration, facilities, IT, research, communications, finance, and HR. With roles spanning faculty, professional staff, and operational teams, Emporia State provides opportunities for individuals at all stages of their careers.
Emporia State’s culture is rooted in learning, collaboration, and service.Employees are supported through professional development opportunities, strong benefits, and a shared mission to support student success and community impact. The campus environment encourages innovation, inclusion, and meaningful work beyond the classroom.
As a cornerstone employer in the region, Emporia State University contributes significantly to Emporia’s economy while strengthening the city’s identity as a college town. For jobseekers seeking purpose-driven work in an academic setting, Emporia State University is an employer worth exploring.
#employers
Hostess Brands (Emporia Bakery)
Hostess Brands is one of Emporia’s most recognizable employers, with the Emporia Bakery playing a key role in producing some of the most iconic snack brands in the country. Known for household favorites like Twinkies®, Ding Dongs®, and Donettes®, Hostess combines a legacy of beloved products with a modern, fast-paced manufacturing operation.
The Emporia Bakery offers a wide range of career opportunities across production and manufacturing, maintenance and engineering, quality assurance, logistics, safety, and plant operations, as well as leadership and corporate support roles. With ongoing investment in equipment, automation, and workforce development, the facility provides stable, long-term career paths for skilled and entry-level workers alike.
Hostess Brands is known for a culture that values teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement. Employees at the Emporia Bakery are part of a collaborative environment focused on efficiency, quality, and pride in producing products enjoyed by millions nationwide.
#employers
Newman Regional Health
Ranked as one of the top critical access hospitals in the U.S., Newman Regional is the primary healthcare provider for Lyon County. With nearly 400 employees, it offers specialized services like cardiology and orthopedics that you’d typically only find in much larger metros.
Explore careers at Newman Regional Health
(Image Source: Newman Regional Health)
#employers
Simmons Pet Food
As the city’s largest private employer, Simmons operates a massive, state of the art facility that anchors Emporia’s role in the "Global Animal Health Corridor." With over 1,400 employees, they are a cornerstone of the local economy and a leader in North American pet food manufacturing.
Learn more about career opportunities at Simmons
(Image Source: Simmons Pet Food)
Employment Guide
If you're looking to learn more about the employer landscape in Emporia, this Employment Guide is a great place to start. We’ve rounded up many of the region’s top employers and fastest-growing industries to help you get a feel for the local job market and spot opportunities that align with your skills. Click through to explore who’s hiring and what makes Emporia a strong place to build a career.
Emporia State University
Emporia State University is one of Emporia’s largest and most influential employers, serving as a hub for education, research, and community engagement in east-central Kansas. As a public university with a long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching and teacher education, ESU plays a vital role in shaping both the local workforce and future generations of leaders.
The university offers a wide range of career opportunities across academic departments, student services, administration, facilities, IT, research, communications, finance, and HR. With roles spanning faculty, professional staff, and operational teams, Emporia State provides opportunities for individuals at all stages of their careers.
Emporia State’s culture is rooted in learning, collaboration, and service.Employees are supported through professional development opportunities, strong benefits, and a shared mission to support student success and community impact. The campus environment encourages innovation, inclusion, and meaningful work beyond the classroom.
As a cornerstone employer in the region, Emporia State University contributes significantly to Emporia’s economy while strengthening the city’s identity as a college town. For jobseekers seeking purpose-driven work in an academic setting, Emporia State University is an employer worth exploring.
#employers
Hostess Brands (Emporia Bakery)
Hostess Brands is one of Emporia’s most recognizable employers, with the Emporia Bakery playing a key role in producing some of the most iconic snack brands in the country. Known for household favorites like Twinkies®, Ding Dongs®, and Donettes®, Hostess combines a legacy of beloved products with a modern, fast-paced manufacturing operation.
The Emporia Bakery offers a wide range of career opportunities across production and manufacturing, maintenance and engineering, quality assurance, logistics, safety, and plant operations, as well as leadership and corporate support roles. With ongoing investment in equipment, automation, and workforce development, the facility provides stable, long-term career paths for skilled and entry-level workers alike.
Hostess Brands is known for a culture that values teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement. Employees at the Emporia Bakery are part of a collaborative environment focused on efficiency, quality, and pride in producing products enjoyed by millions nationwide.
#employers
Newman Regional Health
Ranked as one of the top critical access hospitals in the U.S., Newman Regional is the primary healthcare provider for Lyon County. With nearly 400 employees, it offers specialized services like cardiology and orthopedics that you’d typically only find in much larger metros.
Explore careers at Newman Regional Health
(Image Source: Newman Regional Health)
#employers
Simmons Pet Food
As the city’s largest private employer, Simmons operates a massive, state of the art facility that anchors Emporia’s role in the "Global Animal Health Corridor." With over 1,400 employees, they are a cornerstone of the local economy and a leader in North American pet food manufacturing.
Learn more about career opportunities at Simmons
(Image Source: Simmons Pet Food)
Employment Guide
If you're looking to learn more about the employer landscape in Emporia, this Employment Guide is a great place to start. We’ve rounded up many of the region’s top employers and fastest-growing industries to help you get a feel for the local job market and spot opportunities that align with your skills. Click through to explore who’s hiring and what makes Emporia a strong place to build a career.
Emporia State University
Emporia State University is one of Emporia’s largest and most influential employers, serving as a hub for education, research, and community engagement in east-central Kansas. As a public university with a long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching and teacher education, ESU plays a vital role in shaping both the local workforce and future generations of leaders.
The university offers a wide range of career opportunities across academic departments, student services, administration, facilities, IT, research, communications, finance, and HR. With roles spanning faculty, professional staff, and operational teams, Emporia State provides opportunities for individuals at all stages of their careers.
Emporia State’s culture is rooted in learning, collaboration, and service.Employees are supported through professional development opportunities, strong benefits, and a shared mission to support student success and community impact. The campus environment encourages innovation, inclusion, and meaningful work beyond the classroom.
As a cornerstone employer in the region, Emporia State University contributes significantly to Emporia’s economy while strengthening the city’s identity as a college town. For jobseekers seeking purpose-driven work in an academic setting, Emporia State University is an employer worth exploring.
#employers
Hostess Brands (Emporia Bakery)
Hostess Brands is one of Emporia’s most recognizable employers, with the Emporia Bakery playing a key role in producing some of the most iconic snack brands in the country. Known for household favorites like Twinkies®, Ding Dongs®, and Donettes®, Hostess combines a legacy of beloved products with a modern, fast-paced manufacturing operation.
The Emporia Bakery offers a wide range of career opportunities across production and manufacturing, maintenance and engineering, quality assurance, logistics, safety, and plant operations, as well as leadership and corporate support roles. With ongoing investment in equipment, automation, and workforce development, the facility provides stable, long-term career paths for skilled and entry-level workers alike.
Hostess Brands is known for a culture that values teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement. Employees at the Emporia Bakery are part of a collaborative environment focused on efficiency, quality, and pride in producing products enjoyed by millions nationwide.
#employers
Awards & Press
Best Main Street in America (2016) and ranked 2nd Best Main Street in the U.S. (2025)
USA Today
#1 Disc Golf Small Town in the U.S.
UDisc
Emporia Named Best Municipal Water – Best in the World Gold Medal
Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting
Cost of Living Comparison
See how your current cost of living compares to life in Emporia, Kansas. Sign up to save your details and auto-load results next time.
MakeMyMove sources all Cost of Living Data from COLI, published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), without any modification or bias.
COLI data is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CNN Money. The data and methodology are described in detail and completely transparent to users, found in the COLI Manual. Both data and methodology are reviewed by an Advisory Board composed of academic researchers and government officials. The Cost of Living Index is referenced in the Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the U.S.
According to the COLI Manual, composite differences of <4% and categorical differences of <5% are not statistically significant and should not be treated as necessarily accurate.
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