Advertisement
Average salary by job family in Columbia
| Management | $110,560 |
|---|---|
| Legal | $100,840 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $91,670 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $88,430 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $87,720 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $83,400 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $75,740 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $74,580 |
| Construction and Extraction | $61,800 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $58,260 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $55,410 |
| Community and Social Service | $54,210 |
| Production | $49,600 |
| Protective Service | $48,000 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $47,460 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $46,900 |
| Sales and Related | $43,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $42,840 |
| Healthcare Support | $39,790 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $37,450 |
| Personal Care and Service | $36,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $34,260 |
Highest-paying jobs in Columbia
- Physicians, All Other$298,810
- Nurse Anesthetists$281,790
- Dentists, General$222,070
- Chief Executives$205,590
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$145,920
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$145,880
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$144,490
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$144,330
- Financial Managers$143,800
- Human Resources Managers$139,020
Most common jobs in Columbia and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 3,680 | $85,120 | $84,330 |
| General and Operations Managers | 3,440 | $94,460 | $75,410 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 3,000 | $36,950 | $36,860 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,610 | $34,650 | $31,390 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 2,470 | $30,430 | $29,110 |
| Cashiers | 2,340 | $31,200 | $29,910 |
| Office Clerks, General | 2,330 | $46,650 | $44,730 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 2,120 | $36,910 | $29,250 |
| Nursing Assistants | 2,040 | $39,790 | $41,290 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,880 | $36,180 | $34,720 |
Advertisement
Cost of living in Columbia
Prices in the Columbia area are 11% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 89.4 for 2024. The average local salary of $61,380 therefore buys what $68,629 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $323,951, 4.7 times the median household income of $69,463.
$323,951typical home value
$69,463median household income
89.4BEA price parity
212,850metro population
Take-home pay in Columbia
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $35,710 | $30,132 | $2,511 |
| Median wage | $47,260 | $38,870 | $3,239 |
| Average wage | $61,380 | $49,551 | $4,129 |
| 75th percentile wage | $71,580 | $56,760 | $4,730 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.
Salaries for every job in Columbia
Management22 jobs
- Chief Executives$206K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$146K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$146K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$144K
- Financial Managers$144K
- Human Resources Managers$139K
- Natural Sciences Managers$131K
- Marketing Managers$131K
- Managers, All Other$125K
- Industrial Production Managers$124K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$123K
- Sales Managers$116K
- Administrative Services Managers$115K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$115K
- Construction Managers$111K
- Facilities Managers$95K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$94K
- General and Operations Managers$94K
- Social and Community Service Managers$79K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$69K
- Food Service Managers$67K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$55K
Legal2 jobs
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical34 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$299K
- Nurse Anesthetists$282K
- Dentists, General$222K
- Pharmacists$138K
- Physician Assistants$133K
- Nurse Practitioners$124K
- Family Medicine Physicians$121K
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$115K
- Veterinarians$99K
- Occupational Therapists$97K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$94K
- Physical Therapists$93K
- Radiation Therapists$88K
- Dental Hygienists$86K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$85K
- Registered Nurses$85K
- Chiropractors$85K
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$84K
- Respiratory Therapists$74K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$74K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$73K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$70K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$68K
- Athletic Trainers$65K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61K
- Medical Records Specialists$58K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$52K
- Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$49K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$46K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$46K
- Psychiatric Technicians$45K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$44K
- Pharmacy Technicians$42K
- Opticians, Dispensing$40K
Architecture and Engineering10 jobs
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$107K
- Engineers, All Other$105K
- Industrial Engineers$104K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$97K
- Civil Engineers$93K
- Mechanical Engineers$90K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$71K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$65K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$59K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$58K
Computer and Mathematical14 jobs
- Computer Network Architects$116K
- Software Developers$110K
- Database Architects$103K
- Information Security Analysts$99K
- Data Scientists$90K
- Web Developers$88K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$88K
- Database Administrators$85K
- Computer Systems Analysts$85K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$84K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$81K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$74K
- Operations Research Analysts$65K
- Computer User Support Specialists$59K
Educational Instruction and Library33 jobs
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$144K
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$112K
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$97K
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary$95K
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$94K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$94K
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$93K
- Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$92K
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$90K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$88K
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$85K
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$84K
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$78K
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$75K
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$71K
- Instructional Coordinators$66K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$62K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$58K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$57K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$56K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$53K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$52K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$52K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$52K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$51K
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$50K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$50K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$44K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$39K
- Tutors$38K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$37K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36K
- Library Technicians$36K
Business and Financial Operations23 jobs
- Financial Risk Specialists$109K
- Personal Financial Advisors$108K
- Financial Examiners$92K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$92K
- Management Analysts$91K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$89K
- Project Management Specialists$87K
- Loan Officers$82K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$81K
- Logisticians$77K
- Accountants and Auditors$76K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$75K
- Cost Estimators$75K
- Compliance Officers$74K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$72K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$72K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$72K
- Human Resources Specialists$70K
- Credit Analysts$69K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$69K
- Insurance Underwriters$68K
- Fundraisers$66K
- Training and Development Specialists$60K
Life, Physical, and Social Science8 jobs
Construction and Extraction15 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$81K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$75K
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons$66K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$66K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$64K
- Electricians$63K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$63K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$62K
- Sheet Metal Workers$61K
- Construction Laborers$60K
- Carpenters$58K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$53K
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$50K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$49K
- Roofers$49K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media12 jobs
- Art Directors$94K
- Coaches and Scouts$76K
- Writers and Authors$68K
- Interior Designers$61K
- Editors$59K
- Producers and Directors$58K
- Public Relations Specialists$55K
- Graphic Designers$54K
- Audio and Video Technicians$43K
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$41K
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$39K
- Floral Designers$35K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair19 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$88K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$78K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$69K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$67K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$62K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$62K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$62K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$57K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$56K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$56K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$55K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$54K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$54K
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers$52K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$52K
- Home Appliance Repairers$47K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$47K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$47K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$37K
Community and Social Service12 jobs
- Clergy$63K
- Healthcare Social Workers$63K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$60K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$57K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$56K
- Health Education Specialists$55K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$53K
- Community Health Workers$52K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$47K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$46K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$43K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$42K
Production19 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$73K
- Machinists$56K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$55K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$54K
- Production Workers, All Other$52K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$51K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$49K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47K
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$46K
- Printing Press Operators$46K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$44K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43K
- Helpers--Production Workers$41K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$37K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$35K
- Bakers$34K
Protective Service7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$86K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$64K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$61K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$59K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$47K
- Security Guards$39K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29K
Office and Administrative Support35 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$65K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$64K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$62K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$61K
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$60K
- Postal Service Clerks$59K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$54K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$54K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$52K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$52K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$51K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$50K
- Meter Readers, Utilities$48K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$48K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$48K
- Office Clerks, General$47K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$45K
- Customer Service Representatives$45K
- Bill and Account Collectors$45K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$45K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$44K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$43K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$42K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$41K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$39K
- File Clerks$39K
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$37K
- Data Entry Keyers$37K
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$37K
- Tellers$36K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$35K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$34K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Sales and Related15 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$100K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$83K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$80K
- Insurance Sales Agents$71K
- Advertising Sales Agents$68K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$64K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$58K
- Real Estate Brokers$56K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$49K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$48K
- Parts Salespersons$40K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$40K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$38K
- Retail Salespersons$35K
- Cashiers$31K
Transportation and Material Moving12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$61K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$56K
- Light Truck Drivers$48K
- Bus Drivers, School$45K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$42K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$41K
- Driver/Sales Workers$38K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$38K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$38K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$36K
- Parking Attendants$35K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35K
Healthcare Support12 jobs
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$65K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$64K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$46K
- Dental Assistants$46K
- Pharmacy Aides$42K
- Medical Assistants$42K
- Nursing Assistants$40K
- Occupational Therapy Aides$37K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$37K
- Medical Transcriptionists$37K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$35K
- Physical Therapist Aides$31K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance7 jobs
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$54K
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$52K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$46K
- Pest Control Workers$41K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$38K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$37K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34K
Personal Care and Service10 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$51K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$45K
- Residential Advisors$44K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$42K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$40K
- Recreation Workers$39K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$34K
- Animal Caretakers$32K
- Childcare Workers$32K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$31K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$59K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$44K
- Waiters and Waitresses$37K
- Cooks, Restaurant$36K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35K
- Bartenders$35K
- Cooks, Short Order$34K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$33K
- Food Preparation Workers$32K
- Dishwashers$32K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$32K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$31K
- Cooks, Fast Food$30K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$30K
Average salary in nearby cities
Advertisement
What locals say: vote a badge
Tap the badges that describe this place. One vote per badge and visitor, no account. A badge shows in the city rankings after 3 votes.
Salary in Columbia: questions
What is a good salary in Columbia?
Half of all workers in the Columbia metro earn less than $47,260 and the average is $61,380. Earning more than $71,580 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Columbia to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $62,401, because prices here are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.4).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Columbia?
Physicians, All Other ($298,810), Nurse Anesthetists ($281,790), Dentists, General ($222,070).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Columbia, MO (17860), all occupations and 336 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.