metropolitan statistical area · 17860

Columbia, MO

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Columbia, MO metro area

Figures describe the Columbia, MO metropolitan statistical area as defined by BLS/OMB — the whole multi-county metro region, not Columbia city limits.

Median annual wage, all occupations$47,260
Total employment107,680

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Columbia, MO metro area was $47,260 per year ($22.72 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 107,680 jobs. 341 detailed occupations are published for this area.

Most concentrated occupations

Occupations far more common here than in the U.S. overall (location quotient ≥ 1.5, published estimates only) — a truthful picture of what makes this area’s job mix distinctive.

Location quotient: local share of employment ÷ national share
OccupationLocation quotientEmploymentMedian annual
Family Medicine Physicians9.93740$69,590
Cooks, Fast Food5.572,470$29,110
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary4.79540$47,220
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors2.86700$51,260
Public Relations Specialists2.76540$47,700
Bus Drivers, School2.06580$44,090
Nursing Assistants2.032,040$41,290
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria1.81550$33,900

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 341 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Columbia, MO metro area
Occupation
Registered Nurses$84,330$40.543,6801.57
General and Operations Managers$75,410$36.263,4401.42
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36,860$17.723,0001.01
Retail Salespersons$31,390$15.092,6100.97
Cooks, Fast Food$29,110$13.992,4705.57
Cashiers$29,910$14.382,3401.09
Office Clerks, General$44,730$21.502,3301.37
Waiters and Waitresses$29,250$14.062,1201.35
Nursing Assistants$41,290$19.852,0402.03
Stockers and Order Fillers$34,720$16.691,8800.96
Customer Service Representatives$41,210$19.811,8701.04
Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,390$14.131,4100.53
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,680$19.081,3501.14
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$45,870$22.051,2901.22
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,510$17.071,2700.83
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,070$18.301,2500.61
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$61,600$29.619901.31
Cooks, Restaurant$35,240$16.949901.02
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$58,720Not published9501.29
Accountants and Auditors$73,070$35.139300.92
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,670$29.659300.93
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,060$18.309001.06
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$48,920$23.528800.92
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$52,820$25.398500.59
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$47,920Not published8400.88
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$37,060$17.828301.26
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61,670$29.658001.77
Family Medicine Physicians$69,590$33.467409.93
Receptionists and Information Clerks$34,020$16.367301.16
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$51,260$24.647002.86
Bartenders$28,600$13.756801.30
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,600$16.166701.13
Financial Managers$124,120$59.676601.13
Human Resources Specialists$63,360$30.466401.01
Security Guards$36,950$17.766400.73
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$48,370$23.266301.30
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$64,720$31.126000.97
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,500$21.406000.78
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43,790$21.065900.61
Project Management Specialists$80,870$38.885800.78
Bus Drivers, School$44,090$21.205802.06
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$35,270Not published5700.58
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$55,200$26.545700.67
Light Truck Drivers$42,710$20.535600.83
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$33,900$16.305501.81
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$47,220Not published5404.79
Public Relations Specialists$47,700$22.935402.76
Medical and Health Services Managers$111,760$53.735301.27
Software Developers$101,020$48.575300.45
Carpenters$56,160$27.005101.10
Pharmacy Technicians$37,750$18.155001.52
Computer Occupations, All Other$80,330$38.624701.57
Food Preparation Workers$29,710$14.284700.77
Childcare Workers$29,070$13.984701.30
Construction Laborers$56,810$27.314700.63
Loan Officers$81,850$39.354502.36
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$29,860$14.354401.17
Computer User Support Specialists$56,670$27.254300.86
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$41,890$20.144300.65
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$48,070$23.114301.65
Lawyers$107,890$51.874000.77
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$33,990$16.344001.21
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$46,140$22.184000.46
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$117,570$56.533903.14
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$45,460$21.853901.44
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$46,840$22.523901.16
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$61,500$29.573901.22
Medical Assistants$41,350$19.883800.68
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$28,600$13.753801.27
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33,030$15.883801.44
Tellers$35,180$16.913601.57
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$57,010$27.413501.03
Insurance Sales Agents$60,890$29.273501.06
Computer and Information Systems Managers$129,700$62.363400.72
Training and Development Specialists$54,440$26.173401.08
Managers, All Other$123,150$59.213300.77
Nurse Practitioners$128,930$61.993301.45
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$32,800$15.773301.61
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$74,050$35.603300.77
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$58,880$28.313301.15
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$62,080$29.853100.67
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$47,750$22.963102.73
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$78,060$37.533100.55
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$56,770$27.293100.94
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$58,010$27.893100.98
Social and Human Service Assistants$40,090$19.273001.00
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$48,590Not published3000.69
Medical Records Specialists$60,960$29.313002.25
Dishwashers$30,780$14.803000.92
Production Workers, All Other$53,510$25.733001.74
Management Analysts$84,870$40.802900.47
Coaches and Scouts$48,290Not published2901.68
Electricians$61,500$29.572900.55
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$36,300$17.452901.71
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$64,250$30.892801.25
Pharmacists$139,430$67.032801.25
Physical Therapists$83,320$40.062801.49
Animal Caretakers$29,950$14.402801.49
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$73,670$35.422800.60
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$58,450$28.102800.65
Insurance Underwriters$63,540$30.552703.72
Psychiatric Technicians$43,170$20.752702.53
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$35,900$17.262701.29
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$37,860$18.202700.47
Compliance Officers$65,390$31.442600.88
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$52,810$25.392600.63
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$58,260$28.012500.72
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$78,610$37.792401.11
Machinists$50,120$24.092401.23
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$49,390$23.742300.85
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$67,400$32.412300.99
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$69,170$33.262301.43
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$95,600Not published2200.97
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$30,740$14.782200.61
Instructional Coordinators$61,730$29.682201.41
Dental Assistants$46,920$22.562200.82
Correctional Officers and Jailers$42,620$20.492200.82
Billing and Posting Clerks$43,760$21.042200.77
Marketing Managers$119,520$57.462100.76
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$47,720$22.942101.44
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$58,420$28.092000.95
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$47,640$22.912001.58
Parts Salespersons$37,710$18.132001.05
Postal Service Mail Carriers$62,070$29.842000.87
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$52,700$25.342000.69
Administrative Services Managers$105,640$50.791901.03
Data Scientists$80,980$38.931901.06
Physicians, All Other$312,080$150.041900.79
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$31,200$15.001900.70
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$32,190$15.481901.02
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,310$23.231902.16
Meeting, Convention, and Event PlannersNot publishedNot published1801.86
Computer Systems Analysts$77,760$37.391800.50
FirefightersNot publishedNot published1800.77
Highway Maintenance Workers$48,780$23.451801.63
Driver/Sales Workers$35,600$17.121800.64
Sales Managers$100,800$48.461700.39
Financial Specialists, All Other$81,600$39.231701.81
Library Technicians$36,240$17.421703.59
Cost Estimators$68,610$32.981601.05
Social Science Research Assistants$65,050$31.281607.76
Healthcare Social Workers$60,540$29.111601.25
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$79,290Not published1604.69
Occupational Therapists$98,550$47.381601.41
Medical Equipment Preparers$46,340$22.281603.01
Counter and Rental Clerks$35,240$16.941600.58
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$59,090$28.411601.09
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$46,260$22.241601.02
Bakers$31,690$15.241600.97
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$35,870$17.251601.15
Human Resources Managers$130,190$62.591501.00
Construction Managers$106,210$51.061500.57
Respiratory Therapists$69,400$33.361501.50
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$35,090$16.871500.66
Recreation Workers$36,860$17.721500.64
Financial Risk Specialists$101,570$48.831403.07
Industrial Engineers$101,130$48.621400.54
Education Teachers, Postsecondary$78,160Not published1403.26
Self-Enrichment Teachers$39,260$18.881400.60
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$60,570$29.121401.55
Graphic Designers$49,490$23.791401.05
Physician Assistants$132,220$63.571401.23
Speech-Language Pathologists$97,610$46.931401.14
Veterinarians$99,620$47.891402.47
Dental Hygienists$86,300$41.491400.93
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$59,460$28.591400.52
Social and Community Service Managers$72,240$34.731300.90
Civil Engineers$83,950$40.361300.50
Business Teachers, Postsecondary$120,590Not published1302.34
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$44,810$21.541301.41
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$34,900$16.781301.43
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$53,980$25.951300.64
Logisticians$72,180$34.701200.68
Property Appraisers and Assessors$71,300$34.281202.99
Credit Analysts$63,790$30.671202.70
Personal Financial Advisors$63,030$30.311200.64
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$78,270Not published1205.90
Sales and Related Workers, All Other$30,950$14.881201.79
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$38,420$18.471201.19
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$51,910$24.961201.11
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$41,650$20.031200.22
Packers and Packagers, Hand$39,520$19.001200.31
Information Security Analysts$97,600$46.921100.86
Rehabilitation Counselors$50,050$24.061101.75
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$47,570Not published1100.98
Physical Therapist Assistants$63,540$30.551101.40
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$41,020$19.721100.92
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$45,440$21.851100.76
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$56,820$27.321101.56
Financial and Investment Analysts$85,130$40.931000.39
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$80,590Not published1001.88
Real Estate Sales Agents$38,620$18.571000.77
Bill and Account Collectors$46,470$22.341000.94
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$47,620$22.891000.95
Public Safety Telecommunicators$48,680$23.401001.45
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$58,780$28.261001.30
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$37,420$17.991000.90
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$76,120$36.601000.81
Maintenance Workers, Machinery$64,670$31.091002.29
Chief Executives$159,890$76.87900.67
Chemists$87,000$41.83901.49
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$82,020$39.43901.68
Producers and Directors$48,750$23.44900.95
Nurse Anesthetists$310,170$149.12902.44
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$41,080$19.75903.24
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$81,340$39.11900.81
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$42,570$20.47900.76
Data Entry Keyers$34,270$16.48901.06
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$51,780$24.90900.90
Butchers and Meat Cutters$34,170$16.43900.92
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$50,270$24.17901.03
Facilities Managers$85,740$41.22800.76
Industrial Production Managers$107,880$51.87800.46
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$105,640$50.79800.51
Food Service Managers$66,020$31.74800.50
Financial Examiners$77,420$37.22801.70
Computer Network Support Specialists$66,380$31.91800.80
Computer Network Architects$111,310$53.52800.68
Database Administrators$79,240$38.10801.55
Mechanical Engineers$82,200$39.52800.41
Architectural and Civil Drafters$57,410$27.60801.12
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$46,840$22.52801.27
Community Health Workers$49,270$23.69801.88
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$100,800Not published802.48
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$102,400Not published805.49
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$75,810Not published801.17
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$46,180Not published801.07
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$56,230Not published801.00
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$46,120Not published800.43
Interior Designers$67,780$32.59801.55
Emergency Medical Technicians$43,980$21.14800.67
Occupational Therapy Assistants$62,810$30.20802.19
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$59,320$28.52801.17
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$28,600$13.75800.75
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$97,390$46.82800.89
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$42,050$20.22801.84
Refuse and Recyclable Material CollectorsNot publishedNot published800.75
Fundraisers$61,030$29.34700.88
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$75,520$36.31700.55
Biological Scientists, All Other$76,400$36.73701.71
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$80,250$38.58700.69
Health Education Specialists$58,300$28.03701.47
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$81,240Not published706.10
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$80,250Not published701.87
Dietitians and Nutritionists$66,640$32.04701.38
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$47,750$22.96700.76
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$68,130$32.75700.50
Tire Repairers and Changers$36,360$17.48700.88
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$59,850$28.77700.22
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$46,430$22.32601.11
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$82,430$39.63600.78
Engineers, All Other$104,760$50.36600.61
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$54,140$26.03600.63
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$78,980Not published602.06
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary$82,000Not published606.26
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$35,030$16.84600.53
Dentists, General$207,450$99.74600.74
Radiation Therapists$84,980$40.86604.93
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$76,930$36.99601.89
Opticians, Dispensing$36,600$17.60601.11
Athletic Trainers$61,540Not published602.86
Chefs and Head Cooks$52,870$25.42600.41
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$31,200$15.00600.65
Skincare Specialists$45,000$21.64601.13
Residential Advisors$49,630$23.86600.94
Advertising Sales Agents$57,140$27.47601.00
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$93,480$44.94600.32
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$49,940$24.01600.61
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$37,820$18.18600.32
Roofers$46,530$22.37600.62
Sheet Metal Workers$54,550$26.23600.70
Helpers--Production Workers$40,550$19.50600.53
Architectural and Engineering Managers$140,040$67.33500.33
Natural Sciences Managers$126,440$60.79500.67
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$63,790$30.67500.67
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$101,800$48.94502.86
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$71,560$34.41500.83
Biological Technicians$51,630$24.82501.02
Chemical Technicians$67,760$32.58501.25
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$37,090$17.83500.72
Floral Designers$35,360$17.00501.62
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$40,300$19.37503.15
Editors$54,250$26.08500.83
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$102,540$49.30502.62
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$88,540$42.57500.75
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$42,240$20.31500.49
File Clerks$40,030$19.24501.08
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$49,070$23.59500.74
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$38,110$18.32501.27
Construction and Building Inspectors$61,170$29.41500.45
Home Appliance Repairers$44,930$21.60502.11
Printing Press Operators$45,170$21.71500.49
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$45,070$21.67500.97
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$53,370$25.66500.45
Parking Attendants$31,050$14.93500.53
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$62,450$30.03400.90
Clergy$55,280$26.58400.96
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$95,990Not published401.44
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$48,480Not published400.57
Tutors$31,730$15.26400.34
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$48,800Not published400.56
Writers and Authors$63,030$30.30401.14
Audio and Video Technicians$43,240$20.79400.73
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$43,300$20.82400.87
Physical Therapist Aides$29,130$14.01401.06
Medical Transcriptionists$36,820$17.70401.56
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$61,170$29.41400.45
Pest Control Workers$43,370$20.85400.53
Tree Trimmers and Pruners$51,470$24.75401.04
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$34,060$16.38401.78
Postal Service Clerks$59,490$28.60400.76
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$49,440$23.77400.32
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$46,000$22.12401.44
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$79,100$38.03400.90
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$45,470$21.86400.89
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$59,690$28.70401.71
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$50,930$24.49400.37
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51,080$24.56400.34
Database Architects$99,000$47.60300.70
Web Developers$81,050$38.97300.63
Operations Research Analysts$62,830$30.21300.45
Electrical EngineersNot publishedNot published300.22
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$52,800$25.38300.58
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$75,870$36.48300.27
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$106,680Not published303.47
Art Directors$80,060$38.49300.86
Chiropractors$63,450$30.50301.27
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$64,590$31.05300.77
Occupational Therapy Aides$33,480$16.093010.72
Pharmacy Aides$41,020$19.72301.25
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$41,990$20.19300.44
Meter Readers, Utilities$49,020$23.57302.52
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$34,770$16.71301.79
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$72,190$34.71300.83
GlaziersNot publishedNot published300.74
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers$44,070$21.19302.25
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$55,210$26.54301.28
Cooks, Short Order$35,260$16.95Not publishedNot published
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$46,500$22.36Not publishedNot published
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$59,880Not publishedNot publishedNot published
Real Estate Brokers$55,230$26.55Not publishedNot published

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.