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Based on national averages and municipal budget structures, the salary cost to operate a city of 126,000 people can vary widely depending on the services provided, but generally falls in the range of $100 million to over $200 million annually in total compensation (salaries and benefits). [1, 2]  

Key Takeaways for a 126,000 Population City 

• Total Compensation Per Resident: In many municipal environments, particularly in high-cost or high-service areas (like California cities), per-resident costs for staff can reach $1,000 to $2,000+. 

• Estimated Salary Budget: For a city of 126,000, assuming a moderate per-capita spending of $1,000-$1,500 on total payroll, the annual budget for salaries and benefits would be roughly $126 million to $189 million. 

• Staffing Levels: A city of this size might have a staff ranging from 1,000 to over 2,000 employees depending on whether they operate, for example, their own airports or utilities. 

• Percentage of Budget: Salaries and benefits are usually the largest component of a city's general fund, often exceeding 50-60% of the total budget in many local governments. [3, 4]  

Factors Influencing Cost 

• Benefits (38-44%): Salary costs are not just wages. Benefits (health, pension, retirement) can add 38% or more to base wages, with local government compensation often averaging $52.94 per hour. 

• Service Level: A "full-service" city (police, fire, EMS, water, libraries) requires a much higher salary budget than a city that contracts out those services. 

• Regional Variation: Costs in high-cost-of-living areas (e.g., California) are significantly higher than national averages. [2, 4, 5, 6, 7]  

Disclaimer: These figures are general estimates based on national averages and not specific to any one city. 

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://getbenepass.com/blog/what-is-the-average-cost-of-benefits-per-employee-the-complete-guide

[2] https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/state-and-local-government-compensation-costs-average-52-94-per-hour-worked-in-september-2020.htm

[3] https://www.cbpp.org/research/some-basic-facts-on-state-and-local-government-workers

[4] https://www.siliconvalley.com/2024/08/23/5-charts-that-show-how-california-cities-spent-37-billion-on-public-employees-last-year/

[5] https://help.liveplan.com/understanding-the-numbers/forecasting-revenue-expenses-direct-costs-personnel/employee-taxes-and-benefits

[6] https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf

[7] https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/cost-of-living-by-state-164246058.html

Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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time kills deals

Eighty percent of that is salaries

The proposed 2025 operating budget for the City of Topeka, Kansas, includes total planned expenditures of $128 million, marking a 10.2% increase over the 2024 budget of $115 million. This budget, primarily driven by rising personnel costs and contractual services, is part of a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) totaling over $562 million for projects. [1, 2, 3]  

Key Budget Details (2025 Proposed): 

• Total Expenditures: $128 million. 

• Key Drivers: Increases in union/non-union wages (+$9.4 million), vehicle requests, and operating costs for Hotel Topeka. 

• Property Tax Relief: The city is maintaining a $300,000 Property Tax Rebate Program. 

• Long-Term Plan: The 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Plan includes $95.1 million for wastewater projects and $22.9 million for public safety. 

• Fiscal Context: The city faced a projected $17 million deficit for the 2026 budget process, prompting a scrutinized hiring process. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]  

For more detailed information, the city's 2025 Proposed Operating Budget provides a comprehensive breakdown of funds. [1, 6]  

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://cot-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/finance/Budget/2025+Proposed+Operating+Budget.pdf

[2] https://www.topeka.gov/news_detail_T11_R142.php

[3] https://www.wibw.com/2024/07/30/city-topeka-reveals-proposed-2025-budget/

[4] https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2025/06/04/hotel-topeka-gets-further-city-funding-heres-what-to-know/84011786007/

[5] https://www.wibw.com/2025/03/25/topeka-mayor-city-manager-discuss-fy-2026-budget-process/

[6] https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/shawnee-county-finalizes-budget-raises-property-taxes/

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Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals