Chief Executive salary in Columbia, MO
Chief Executives in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $159,890 a year ($76.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $377,490 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $213,990. Pay here is 7% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $172,320. There are 0.88 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $205,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| 25th percentile | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Median | $159,890 | $76.87 |
| 75th percentile | $251,860 | $121.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $377,490 | $181.49 |
| Average (mean) | $205,590 | $98.84 |
Half of chief executives earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,324.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,662.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,149.62 |
| Weekly | $3,074.81 |
| Hourly | $76.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $221,640 | 990 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $202,840 | 1,120 |
| Springfield, MO | $179,910 | 150 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $134,670 | 60 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $131,540 | 50 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $113,090 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
See Chief Executive pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Financial Manager | $124,120 | $59.67 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $111,760 | $53.73 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $117,570 | $56.53 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $129,700 | $62.36 |
| Managers, All Other | $123,150 | $59.21 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $95,600 | — |
| Marketing Manager | $119,520 | $57.46 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $58,420 | $28.09 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $105,640 | $50.79 |
| Sales Manager | $100,800 | $48.46 |
| Construction Manager | $106,210 | $51.06 |
| Human Resources Manager | $130,190 | $62.59 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $72,240 | $34.73 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for chief executives in the Columbia, MO metro area is $159,890 a year, or $76.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $377,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of chief executives in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $377,490 a year. The top 25% earn $251,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,610 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $101,850 or less.
How many chief executives work in Columbia, MO?
About 90 chief executives are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.