Registered Nurse salary in Missouri
Registered Nurses in Missouri earn a median of $81,780 a year ($39.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 76,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,390 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Missouri ranks 40th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 26 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| 25th percentile | $76,050 | $36.56 |
| Median | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| 75th percentile | $98,560 | $47.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,390 | $50.19 |
| Average (mean) | $85,900 | $41.30 |
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 | $6,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,407.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,145.38 |
| Weekly | $1,572.69 |
| Hourly | $39.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $85,010 | 1,910 |
| Columbia, MO | $84,330 | 3,680 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,930 | $62.47 |
| Pharmacist | $137,610 | $66.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Physicians, All Other | $227,980 | $109.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $171,180 | $82.30 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,280 | $42.92 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Dentists, General | $204,960 | $98.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,130 | $64.96 |
| Veterinarian | $114,660 | $55.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,450 | $31.47 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $242,630 | $116.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for registered nurses in Missouri is $81,780 a year, or $39.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Missouri?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Missouri earn at least $104,390 a year. The top 25% earn $98,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,230 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $76,050 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Missouri?
About 76,310 registered nurses are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.