Average RN Salary in Missouri: See How Much MO Nurses Make
Updated June 16, 2023 · 4 Min Read
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Interested in nursing opportunities in Missouri? The state's reasonable cost of living means that paychecks go further, which contributes to a recent 15th place ranking of the best states to work as a nurse. Forbes includes Columbia, Missouri, on its list of the best places to retire. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) points to an aging population as providing the most opportunities for nurses, making Missouri promising for working registered nurses (RNs)
Continue reading for more information about RN salaries in Missouri.
- Average Missouri RN Salary: $67,790 (Ranks 42nd among all states)
- Hourly Missouri RN Salary: $32.59
- Projected Missouri RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 16.2%
Source: BLS
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Average RN Salaries in Missouri
The average RN salary in Missouri totals $67,790 a year, or $32.59 an hour. While RN earnings fall below the national average of $82,750, salaries adjust for factors, such as cost of living and supply and demand. As the table below shows, RN salary averages in Missouri range from $47,350 for the lowest 10% of earners and $94,690 for the top 10%, according to the BLS.
The median home price in Columbia is 31% lower than the national median at $259,000, and the projected RN employment growth rate for Missouri exceeds 16% between 2018 and 2028. Missouri also hosts many affordable nursing schools throughout the state.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $47,350 | $22.77 |
| 25% | $59,580 | $28.64 |
| 50% (Median) | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| 75% | $77,450 | $37.24 |
| 90% | $94,690 | $45.53 |
Source: BLS
Missouri RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
Average RN salaries in Missouri tell only part of the story. Adjusted for cost of living, the state's average RN income jumps to $72,874. Cost of living considers not only housing prices but other cost metrics like apparel, education, food, medical care, and transportation. Missouri's cost-of-living index comes in 7.5% lower than the U.S. average at 92.5%.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $72,874 (Ranks 44th among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 92.5 (7.5% less than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Missouri
The table below lists Missouri's highest-paying cities for RNs. Topping the list is Kansas City, known for its barbecue and jazz. Kansas City is home to three hospitals with designated Magnet status for nursing excellence.
Taking the second spot, St. Louis offers big-city amenities like museums, blues clubs, restaurants, and, of course, barbecue. The city and its signature Gateway Arch sit on the Mississippi River. St. Louis boasts four Magnet hospitals. Columbia, located in central Missouri near the Missouri River, hosts the University of Missouri and Magnet-recognized Boone Hospital Center. St. Joseph, near Kansas City, and Missouri's capital, Jefferson City, offers mid-size city living along the Missouri River.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO — KS | $71,800 |
| St. Louis, MO — IL | $70,640 |
| St. Joseph, MO — KS | $66,340 |
| Columbia, MO | $66,300 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $62,980 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Missouri
Other nursing roles in Missouri offer salaries averaging just under $30,000 for nursing assistants and $46,000 for licensed practical nurses. Missouri RNs interested in increasing their income can pursue a master's or a doctoral nursing degree to become a nurse midwife ($88,970), a nurse practitioner ($103,490), or a nurse anesthetist ($192,000).
- Nursing Assistants: $29,520
- LPN/LVNs: $46,010
- Nurse Midwives: $88,970
- Nurse Practitioners: $103,490
- Nurse Anesthetists: $192,320
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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