Registered Nurse salary in Columbia, MO
Registered Nurses in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $84,330 a year ($40.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,790 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 3% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $81,780. There are 34 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| 25th percentile | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| Median | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| 75th percentile | $93,390 | $44.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,790 | $50.86 |
| Average (mean) | $85,120 | $40.92 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $7,027.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,513.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,243.46 |
| Weekly | $1,621.73 |
| Hourly | $40.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $85,010 | 1,910 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $83,180 | 35,200 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $83,040 | 29,650 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $82,640 | 1,470 |
| Springfield, MO | $79,370 | 6,820 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $77,240 | 1,490 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $74,930 | 2,670 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine Physician | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Pharmacist | $139,430 | $67.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,080 | $150.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Veterinarian | $99,620 | $47.89 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $310,170 | $149.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Columbia, MO metro area is $84,330 a year, or $40.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $105,790 a year. The top 25% earn $93,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,080 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $68,930 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Columbia, MO?
About 3,680 registered nurses are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.