Life In Salina, Kansas
Salina’s aesthetics are more "Midwest pop art" than "plains." Main Street, grain silos, sidewalks, and summer festivals are all canvas for creativity in this technicolor community that has a standalone Department of Arts and Humanities within its city government. Your dollar commands respect here - housing costs run 35–45% below the national average, even as advanced manufacturing and aerospace anchor a diversified, recession-resilient local economy.
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If you want to witness a well-executed downtown revitalization, I encourage you to check out downtown Salina.
Major Employers in Salina
Salina’s economy is powered by manufacturing, food production, healthcare and regional services, with growing momentum in aviation and advanced technology.
Salina Regional Health Center
Salina Regional Health Center is one of Salina’s largest and most impactful employers, serving as a cornerstone of healthcare for central Kansas and the surrounding region. Based in Salina, Salina Regional is a not-for-profit health system with a comprehensive network of hospital services, clinics, and specialty care facilities dedicated to improving community health and patient outcomes.
Salina Regional offers a wide range of career opportunities across nursing, clinical care, allied health, diagnostics, IT, operations, and administrative functions such as finance, HR, and patient services. With roles spanning inpatient care, outpatient clinics, and support teams, the organization supports career paths for both patient-facing professionals and those working behind the scenes.
What sets Salina Regional apart is its community-centered, mission-driven culture. Employees are drawn to the organization’s emphasis on collaboration, compassionate care, and serving the needs of the region. Salina Regional invests in professional development, continuing education, and benefits designed to support employees’ growth, well-being, and work-life balance.
#employers
Great Plains Manufacturing, a Kubota Company
Great Plains Manufacturing is a global leader in the development and production of agricultural implements and landscaping equipment. Headquartered in Salina since its founding in 1976, this subsidiary of Kubota stands as a testament to Kansas craftsmanship, providing high-quality solutions for farmers and land managers across the globe.
Career opportunities at Great Plains span the entire production lifecycle, including welding, assembly, engineering, and supply chain management, as well as corporate functions like marketing, accounting, and customer support. With multiple facilities across the region, Great Plains offers a stable, upwardly mobile environment for those skilled in technical trades and manufacturing leadership.
#employers
(Image Source: Salina Journal)
Salina Airport Authority
Salina Regional Airport is a premier aviation gateway and a primary economic engine for North Central Kansas. As the home of "America’s Fuel Stop," the Salina Airport Authority manages a world-class facility that supports commercial air service, military operations, and corporate aviation, making it a critical hub for regional connectivity and global logistics.
The Salina Airport Authority offers a diverse array of career paths ranging from airport operations and aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) to facilities maintenance, administration, and aviation security. Beyond the runway, the organization supports roles in property management and business development, overseeing the Salina Airport Industrial Center—one of the largest industrial parks in the state.
(Image Source: Salina.com)
#employers
Kansas State University Salina
Kansas State University Salina is a pioneer in aerospace and technology education, serving as a vital talent pipeline for the state’s most advanced industries. Known for its hands on approach and industry integrated learning, the campus is a center of excellence for pilot training, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and engineering technology.
The campus offers a unique variety of roles for educators, researchers, flight instructors, and student services professionals, along with essential positions in admissions, facilities, and campus operations. Working at K-State Salina means engaging with the next generation of innovators in an environment that bridges the gap between the classroom and the workforce.
#employers
(Image Souce: K-State Salina)
Schwan Global Supply Chain, Inc.
Schwan’s gives Salina a major foothold in national food production, with careers in manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, quality control and plant operations. The Salina plant specializes in frozen pizza production for brands like Red Baron, Tony’s and Freschetta, bringing large-scale production jobs to the city’s steady industrial economy. See career opportunities here.
Geoprobe Solutions
Geoprobe is a Salina-based manufacturer with global reach, designing and building drilling rigs and tooling for environmental, geotechnical, geothermal and exploration work. The company supports skilled careers in engineering, machining, fabrication, assembly, service and technical training. Job listings are posted here.
Salina Regional Health Center
Salina Regional Health Center is one of Salina’s largest and most impactful employers, serving as a cornerstone of healthcare for central Kansas and the surrounding region. Based in Salina, Salina Regional is a not-for-profit health system with a comprehensive network of hospital services, clinics, and specialty care facilities dedicated to improving community health and patient outcomes.
Salina Regional offers a wide range of career opportunities across nursing, clinical care, allied health, diagnostics, IT, operations, and administrative functions such as finance, HR, and patient services. With roles spanning inpatient care, outpatient clinics, and support teams, the organization supports career paths for both patient-facing professionals and those working behind the scenes.
What sets Salina Regional apart is its community-centered, mission-driven culture. Employees are drawn to the organization’s emphasis on collaboration, compassionate care, and serving the needs of the region. Salina Regional invests in professional development, continuing education, and benefits designed to support employees’ growth, well-being, and work-life balance.
#employers
Great Plains Manufacturing, a Kubota Company
Great Plains Manufacturing is a global leader in the development and production of agricultural implements and landscaping equipment. Headquartered in Salina since its founding in 1976, this subsidiary of Kubota stands as a testament to Kansas craftsmanship, providing high-quality solutions for farmers and land managers across the globe.
Career opportunities at Great Plains span the entire production lifecycle, including welding, assembly, engineering, and supply chain management, as well as corporate functions like marketing, accounting, and customer support. With multiple facilities across the region, Great Plains offers a stable, upwardly mobile environment for those skilled in technical trades and manufacturing leadership.
#employers
(Image Source: Salina Journal)
Salina Airport Authority
Salina Regional Airport is a premier aviation gateway and a primary economic engine for North Central Kansas. As the home of "America’s Fuel Stop," the Salina Airport Authority manages a world-class facility that supports commercial air service, military operations, and corporate aviation, making it a critical hub for regional connectivity and global logistics.
The Salina Airport Authority offers a diverse array of career paths ranging from airport operations and aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) to facilities maintenance, administration, and aviation security. Beyond the runway, the organization supports roles in property management and business development, overseeing the Salina Airport Industrial Center—one of the largest industrial parks in the state.
(Image Source: Salina.com)
#employers
Kansas State University Salina
Kansas State University Salina is a pioneer in aerospace and technology education, serving as a vital talent pipeline for the state’s most advanced industries. Known for its hands on approach and industry integrated learning, the campus is a center of excellence for pilot training, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and engineering technology.
The campus offers a unique variety of roles for educators, researchers, flight instructors, and student services professionals, along with essential positions in admissions, facilities, and campus operations. Working at K-State Salina means engaging with the next generation of innovators in an environment that bridges the gap between the classroom and the workforce.
#employers
(Image Souce: K-State Salina)
Schwan Global Supply Chain, Inc.
Schwan’s gives Salina a major foothold in national food production, with careers in manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, quality control and plant operations. The Salina plant specializes in frozen pizza production for brands like Red Baron, Tony’s and Freschetta, bringing large-scale production jobs to the city’s steady industrial economy. See career opportunities here.
Geoprobe Solutions
Geoprobe is a Salina-based manufacturer with global reach, designing and building drilling rigs and tooling for environmental, geotechnical, geothermal and exploration work. The company supports skilled careers in engineering, machining, fabrication, assembly, service and technical training. Job listings are posted here.
Salina Regional Health Center
Salina Regional Health Center is one of Salina’s largest and most impactful employers, serving as a cornerstone of healthcare for central Kansas and the surrounding region. Based in Salina, Salina Regional is a not-for-profit health system with a comprehensive network of hospital services, clinics, and specialty care facilities dedicated to improving community health and patient outcomes.
Salina Regional offers a wide range of career opportunities across nursing, clinical care, allied health, diagnostics, IT, operations, and administrative functions such as finance, HR, and patient services. With roles spanning inpatient care, outpatient clinics, and support teams, the organization supports career paths for both patient-facing professionals and those working behind the scenes.
What sets Salina Regional apart is its community-centered, mission-driven culture. Employees are drawn to the organization’s emphasis on collaboration, compassionate care, and serving the needs of the region. Salina Regional invests in professional development, continuing education, and benefits designed to support employees’ growth, well-being, and work-life balance.
#employers
Great Plains Manufacturing, a Kubota Company
Great Plains Manufacturing is a global leader in the development and production of agricultural implements and landscaping equipment. Headquartered in Salina since its founding in 1976, this subsidiary of Kubota stands as a testament to Kansas craftsmanship, providing high-quality solutions for farmers and land managers across the globe.
Career opportunities at Great Plains span the entire production lifecycle, including welding, assembly, engineering, and supply chain management, as well as corporate functions like marketing, accounting, and customer support. With multiple facilities across the region, Great Plains offers a stable, upwardly mobile environment for those skilled in technical trades and manufacturing leadership.
#employers
(Image Source: Salina Journal)
Salina Airport Authority
Salina Regional Airport is a premier aviation gateway and a primary economic engine for North Central Kansas. As the home of "America’s Fuel Stop," the Salina Airport Authority manages a world-class facility that supports commercial air service, military operations, and corporate aviation, making it a critical hub for regional connectivity and global logistics.
The Salina Airport Authority offers a diverse array of career paths ranging from airport operations and aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) to facilities maintenance, administration, and aviation security. Beyond the runway, the organization supports roles in property management and business development, overseeing the Salina Airport Industrial Center—one of the largest industrial parks in the state.
(Image Source: Salina.com)
#employers
Kansas State University Salina
Kansas State University Salina is a pioneer in aerospace and technology education, serving as a vital talent pipeline for the state’s most advanced industries. Known for its hands on approach and industry integrated learning, the campus is a center of excellence for pilot training, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and engineering technology.
The campus offers a unique variety of roles for educators, researchers, flight instructors, and student services professionals, along with essential positions in admissions, facilities, and campus operations. Working at K-State Salina means engaging with the next generation of innovators in an environment that bridges the gap between the classroom and the workforce.
#employers
(Image Souce: K-State Salina)
Schwan Global Supply Chain, Inc.
Schwan’s gives Salina a major foothold in national food production, with careers in manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, quality control and plant operations. The Salina plant specializes in frozen pizza production for brands like Red Baron, Tony’s and Freschetta, bringing large-scale production jobs to the city’s steady industrial economy. See career opportunities here.
Geoprobe Solutions
Geoprobe is a Salina-based manufacturer with global reach, designing and building drilling rigs and tooling for environmental, geotechnical, geothermal and exploration work. The company supports skilled careers in engineering, machining, fabrication, assembly, service and technical training. Job listings are posted here.
Cost of Living Comparison
See how your current cost of living compares to life in Salina, 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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