Kansas: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #27 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 2,937,880.
Kansas ranks #27 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (41.9). Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest risk at 34.0 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 57.0 (High). The 23.0-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 196,320 jobs.
Kansas: 41.9 Average Entry Risk
Kansas at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Kansas
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Kansas.
Entry Risk by Industry in Kansas
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Kansas. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Kansas Industry Data: 74,977 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 34.0 | #15/51 | 11,463 | 196,320 | $58,109 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 34.2 | #18/51 | 6,244 | 115,840 | $22,280 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 37.6 | #12/51 | 2,715 | 17,564 | $91,314 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 38.2 | #13/51 | 6,288 | 36,791 | $48,229 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 39.8 | #22/51 | 7,290 | 74,404 | $55,193 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 40.4 | #14/51 | 9,003 | 142,132 | $35,862 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 41.4 | #29/51 | 3,102 | 15,883 | $57,554 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 44.7 | #39/51 | 14,803 | 78,779 | $95,397 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 51.5 | #38/51 | 7,680 | 71,160 | $73,233 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 57.0 | #42/51 | 6,389 | 57,462 | $98,426 |
Largest Industries in Kansas by Employment
Metro Markets in Kansas
4 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Kansas Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Kansas's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Kansas averages 41.9 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #27 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Kansas?
Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest entry risk in Kansas at 34.0 (Moderate). It employs 196,320 workers across 11,463 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Kansas?
Finance and Insurance posts Kansas's highest entry risk at 57.0 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Kansas?
74,977 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Kansas, employing 806,335 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Kansas's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Kansas with 196,320 jobs across 11,463 establishments and an entry risk score of 34.0.