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No. 2 most cost-effective tech market
KC is a highly competitive cost market for tech companies according to the annual CBRE Scoring Tech Talent Report. The study measured large metros with >50,000 tech workers and the markets costs for wages and office rent, which are the two most significant costs for a company.
CBRE, Scoring Tech Talent, 2024.

Digital Health

More than 40 years ago in Kansas City, Cerner – now Oracle – created one of the most productive digital health ecosystems in the U.S. Today, KC provides a robust digital health landscape offering something genuinely unique with the combination of talent, leadership, entrepreneurial drive, intellectual capital and collaborative assets.

KC is at the center of health + data
152,000 Employed in Healthcare in KC BLS SAE, 2023	77,700 Employed in Tech in KC KC Tech Council, 2024
120+ Digital Health Companies in KC Digital Health KC, 2024	1 in 3 KC Tech Workers are in Digital Health Digital Health KC, 2024

Want to know more about digital health in KC?

Six of the TOP COMPANIES for Digital Health solutions are in KC

Talent

Health care is hard. Finding the right people who understand both tech and health care is crucial to your success. KC has the talent you need.

The 25,000+ working specifically in digital health in KC today have an unmatched amount of expertise:

6,000+ digital health experts in KC with 10+ years of experience
2,000+ digital health experts in KC with 20+ years of experience

KC’s Hidden Tech Talent? Veterans.

Each year, 5,000 service members exit the military in the Kansas City region and enter the workforce with specialized training and often security clearance. Many are pursuing careers in technology, offering a rare combination of technical skill and vetted reliability. Tech professionals with security clearance are in high demand and short supply. KC offers a consistent, local source to meet that need.

Building KC’s Digital Health Workforce

Johnson County Community College Johnson County Community College

Each year, more than 500 students train in digital health through JCCC’s Health Information Systems program. Students, many of whom are mid-career professionals, gain real-world experience using Oracle Cerner’s EHR system. This hands-on training equips graduates with practical, in-demand skills to enter the healthcare technology workforce.

University of Kansas University of Kansas

KU offers a 19‑credit minor covering health IT, project management, information security, analytics, and mobile apps. It equips students with practical skills for health-data careers such as Health Information Technologists or Service Managers.
The comprehensive Health Information Management & Informatics program at KU Medical Center includes a B.S. and online degree-completion track, a Master’s in Health Informatics and a Post-Bachelor’s DNP in Health Informatics. All are CAHIIM‑accredited, preparing professionals for careers in EHR management, data governance and informatics leadership.
A collaborative initiative from KU Med, KU Health System, and KU School of Health Professions that advances digital health research, commercialization, and professional development. They offer a Rising Investigator Digital Health Innovation Award and the Staudacher Fellowship, funding innovators, supporting early-career talent, and helping translate health-tech prototypes into real-world solutions

Kansas State University Kansas State University

K-State offers a 15‑credit Strategic Health Communication graduate certificate teaching data-driven messaging and strategic planning to improve public and patient health communication. Graduates are equipped to lead outreach in health-tech startups, hospitals, and agencies.

Rockhurst University Rockhurst University

Rockhurst’s 12‑credit Health Analytics Certificate (part of their Stackable MBA) teaches analytics tools specifically for healthcare settings. It prepares learners, both analysts and healthcare leaders, for roles in health-data management and system optimization.

KC Tech Council KC Tech Council

KC TechBridge, led by the KC Tech Council, is aligning employers, educators, and training providers to strengthen Kansas City’s tech talent pipeline. The initiative works to better understand and close workforce gaps—especially in digital and healthcare tech. It’s helping ensure local talent can meet the growing demand for security-cleared and tech-ready professionals.
Apprenti is a registered tech apprenticeship program that helps employers grow talent from nontraditional backgrounds. Operated locally by the KC Tech Council, it connects individuals—many of them career changers or veterans—with paid, on-the-job training. Apprenti is expanding access to digital health careers while delivering skilled talent directly to KC employers.

Digital Health KC Digital Health KC

UMKC and BioNexus KC are leading a $4 million effort through Digital Health KC to support startups and grow digital health talent in the region. The initiative provides training, mentorship, and access to capital for entrepreneurs and early-career professionals. The result: more skilled workers ready to lead innovation in healthcare technology.

Select Operating Cost Comparison

KC is a highly competitive cost market for tech companies according to the annual CBRE Scoring Tech Talent Report. The study measured markets costs for wages and office rent, which are the two most significant costs for a company - KC is the No. 2 most cost-effective tech market with >50,000 tech workers.

Metro	Payroll	Real Estate	Total	Index
Kansas City	$29,305,666	$653,700	$29,959,366	100.00%
Austin	$34,181,963	$1,442,475	$35,624,438	118.91%
Boston	$37,238,174	$1,340,700	$38,578,874	128.77%
Dallas	$32,211,265	$955,472	$33,166,737	110.71%
Denver	$34,635,823	$985,608	$35,621,431	118.90%
Nashville	$28,245,032	$956,700	$29,201,732	97.47%
New York City	$37,837,194	$2,304,900	$40,142,094	133.99%
San Francisco	$46,221,244	$1,986,900	$48,208,144	160.91%
Seattle	$38,772,327	$1,379,571	$40,151,898	134.02%

Note: Costs are calculated based on 300 employees in a 30,000 square foot office space.

Don't see your city? Contact us for a personalized cost comparison.

Digital Health Ecosystem Resources

Digital Health KC Digital Health KC

Digital Health KC connects ideas, talent, companies, capital and customers to advance health care innovation. KC is a global leader in health care technology with regional assets, partnerships and investments that bring companies in this field to the next level.Visit: DigitalHealthKC.com

KC Tech Council KC Tech Council

As an independent nonprofit membership organization, the KC Tech Council works with industry leaders to strengthen and promote Kansas City’s tech industry through policy advocacy, tech talent development, catalyzing industry knowledge and driving visibility for the region’s innovation economy.
Visit: KCTechCouncil.com

KC Digital Drive KC Digital Drive

KC Digital Drive is a nonprofit organization created to drive positive civic outcomes from next-generation technology networks. They work closely with local city governments and economic development organizations, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, makers, entrepreneurs and other civic partners looking to make the most of the Kansas City region’s technology infrastructure.
Visit: KCDigitalDrive.org

Keystone Innovation District Keystone Innovation District

The Keystone Innovation District catalyzes economic development in the Kansas City Region by building and supporting a community of innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs. We are dedicated to making a lasting impact and empowering individuals to thrive in the evolving innovation landscape. We do this using three strategic imperatives: 1) Programming and Placemaking; 2) Regional Collaboration; 3) Equitable and Inclusive Impact.
Visit: KeystoneDistrict.org