Paola Area Job Watch - Updated 8/27/26

Paola's job market is tighter than it looks on paper — the local unemployment rate hovers near 1.7%, a fraction of the national average, which means employers here are competing harder than ever for good people. That's good news if you're looking: agriculture and manufacturing remain the backbone of the local economy, but healthcare, logistics, and skilled trades are all quietly expanding too. For a county seat of under 6,000 residents, that's a lot of opportunity concentrated in a small radius — often with a shorter commute and a tighter-knit workplace than you'd find in the city.

Whether you're job hunting, considering a career change, or just curious what our local employers are building, here's what's open right now at Chamber member businesses around town.

Note: unemployment rate and income figures pulled from Census/ZIP-Codes.com estimates as of mid-2026

▶ Jim Adkins State Farm Insurance

• Pay: $20.00 / hour (commensurate with experience)

• Schedule: Full-time

• Availability: Immediate opening

• Career Growth: Strong potential for professional advancement and upward mobility within the team

We are seeking a reliable, customer-focused individual to join our team in Paola. In this role, you will assist policyholders with everyday inquiries, process account updates, and provide exceptional service to our community.

To Apply: Contact Jim Adkins directly at (913) 294-5351 to schedule an interview.

▶ Osawatomie State Hospital is hiring a Physical Therapist. Email your resume to OSH.HR@ks.gov, apply on Indeed.com, or apply at www.jobs.ks.gov today!

▶ Jayhawk Marina  |  Seasonal Marina Crew. This is a fun, fast-paced job working on the docks and in the marina store on Hillsdale Lake. No experience is necessary—we’ll teach you what you need to know! We’re looking for friendly, dependable people who: Can work weekends Enjoy working outdoors and around the water Love helping people Are ready to provide a great experience for our marina members and guests Fill out the form HERE to apply. 

▶ Doherty Steel  |   Doherty Steel offers competitive wages, on-the job training, opportunities for advancement – and tons of interesting projects to work on. Check out their opportunities here.

▶ Taylor Forge Engineered Systems  |  Start your career at Taylor Forge. Click HERE for to check out their opportunities.

Hiring? Get Featured Here.
Paola Chamber members can submit open positions for inclusion in the next Job Watch — it's a free way to reach job seekers who are already paying attention to what's happening locally. Submit your job opportunity below, or email April@PaolaChamber.org