Lawyer salary in Columbia, MO
Lawyers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $107,890 a year ($51.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,540 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 19% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $133,450. There are 3.7 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $132,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| 25th percentile | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Median | $107,890 | $51.87 |
| 75th percentile | $161,860 | $77.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,540 | $104.59 |
| Average (mean) | $132,290 | $63.60 |
Half of lawyers 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 | $8,990.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,495.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,149.62 |
| Weekly | $2,074.81 |
| Hourly | $51.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $142,690 | 6,100 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $134,640 | 5,310 |
| Springfield, MO | $103,790 | 710 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $97,370 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $96,190 | 180 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,600 | 120 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $93,320 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $49,390 | $23.74 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. 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 lawyer make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for lawyers in the Columbia, MO metro area is $107,890 a year, or $51.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $217,540 a year. The top 25% earn $161,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,990 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $79,990 or less.
How many lawyers work in Columbia, MO?
About 400 lawyers are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.