Helpers--Production Workers salary in Columbia, MO
Helpers--Production Workers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $40,550 a year ($19.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,130 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $39,070. Pay here is about the same as the Missouri statewide median of $40,580. There are 0.56 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $40,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,140 | $14.97 |
| 25th percentile | $35,910 | $17.26 |
| Median | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| 75th percentile | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,130 | $24.10 |
| Average (mean) | $40,740 | $19.59 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers 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 | $3,379.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,689.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,559.62 |
| Weekly | $779.81 |
| Hourly | $19.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin, MO-KS | $47,850 | 350 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $42,210 | 1,840 |
| Springfield, MO | $41,040 | 480 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,190 | 2,290 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,300 | 410 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $37,260 | 190 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $35,270 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
See Helpers--Production Workers pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $53,510 | $25.73 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $42,050 | $20.22 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,370 | $25.66 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,790 | $21.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,670 | $35.42 |
| Machinist | $50,120 | $24.09 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,700 | $25.34 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Baker | $31,690 | $15.24 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,270 | $24.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9198. 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 Helpers--Production workers make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in the Columbia, MO metro area is $40,550 a year, or $19.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $50,130 a year. The top 25% earn $46,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,140 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $35,910 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Columbia, MO?
About 60 Helpers--Production workers are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.