Registered Nurses Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $81,370 -13.1% vs national
Median hourly $39.12
10th percentile $59,600
90th percentile $102,610
Employed locally 3,640
National median $93,600

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Registered Nurses
in
Columbia, MO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,600
    25th
    $66,510
    50th (median)
    $81,370
    75th
    $93,670
    90th
    $102,610

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Registered Nurses salary vs area income 117% Median Registered Nurses salary is 17% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Registered Nurses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,940
    Vallejo, CA $192,470
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,020
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $178,900
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $172,390
    Modesto, CA $169,460

    Nearby metros — Registered Nurses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,020
    Modesto, CA $169,460
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $134,620
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $130,680
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $102,660
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $99,680

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Family Medicine Physicians $67,150
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $59,700
    Pharmacy Technicians $38,140
    Psychiatric Technicians $41,650
    Pharmacists $134,540
    Nurse Practitioners $109,870

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Registered Nurses make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Registered Nurses in Columbia, MO is $39.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.86 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Registered Nurses salaries?

    The median Registered Nurses salary in Columbia, MO is 13.1% below the national median of $93,600. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Registered Nurses in Columbia?

    Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) earn around $59,600 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,510.