Software Developer salary in Columbia, MO
Software Developers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $101,020 a year ($48.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,760 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 20% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $126,120. There are 4.9 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $110,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,850 | $35.02 |
| 25th percentile | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Median | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| 75th percentile | $127,640 | $61.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,760 | $74.88 |
| Average (mean) | $110,170 | $52.97 |
Half of software developers 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 | $8,418.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,209.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,885.38 |
| Weekly | $1,942.69 |
| Hourly | $48.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $129,030 | 9,820 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $124,990 | 12,160 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $105,960 | 120 |
| Springfield, MO | $102,350 | 690 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,220 | 90 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $98,570 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $56,670 | $27.25 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $77,760 | $37.39 |
| Information Security Analyst | $97,600 | $46.92 |
| Computer Network Architect | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $66,380 | $31.91 |
| Database Administrator | $79,240 | $38.10 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Database Architect | $99,000 | $47.60 |
| Web Developer | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Data Scientist | $80,980 | $38.93 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $62,830 | $30.21 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. 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 software developer make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for software developers in the Columbia, MO metro area is $101,020 a year, or $48.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of software developers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $155,760 a year. The top 25% earn $127,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,850 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $83,170 or less.
How many software developers work in Columbia, MO?
About 530 software developers are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.