Health Education Specialist salary in Columbia, MO
Health Education Specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $58,300 a year ($28.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,960 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $64,070. Pay here is 2% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $57,050. There are 0.62 health education specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,050, close to the median.
Pay range for health education specialists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| Median | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| 75th percentile | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Average (mean) | $55,050 | $26.47 |
Half of health education specialists 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 | $4,858.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,429.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,242.31 |
| Weekly | $1,121.15 |
| Hourly | $28.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Health Education Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $62,990 | 550 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,050 | n/a |
| Jefferson City, MO | $54,160 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $51,630 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for health education specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $104,470 |
| District of Columbia | $103,330 |
| Georgia | $99,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 |
| Minnesota | $78,400 |
| Washington | $77,420 |
| Iowa | $75,750 |
| Oregon | $75,500 |
| Rhode Island | $75,360 |
| Colorado | $74,150 |
See Health Education Specialist pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $51,260 | $24.64 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $45,460 | $21.85 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Community Health Worker | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Clergy | $55,280 | $26.58 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1091. 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 health education specialist make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for health education specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $58,300 a year, or $28.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid health education specialists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of health education specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $77,960 a year. The top 25% earn $65,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for health education specialists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,640 a year, and a quarter of health education specialists earn $33,640 or less.
How many health education specialists work in Columbia, MO?
About 70 health education specialists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.