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What is the average salary in Columbia, MO?

The average salary in Columbia, MO is $55,460 per year.

Columbia, MO offers a range of salaries across various industries, providing diverse opportunities for job seekers. The average yearly salary in Columbia stands at $55,460. This figure reflects the earnings potential across different sectors, with specific industries offering varying compensation levels.


Some of the top-paying industries in Columbia include:

  • Computer and Mathematical Occupations: $105,818
  • Management, Business, and Financial Operations: $94,773
  • Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: $83,727

These figures highlight the potential for higher earnings in certain professions, making Columbia an attractive location for those seeking lucrative career opportunities.

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What are the best paying jobs in Columbia, MO?

Columbia, MO, offers numerous opportunities for high-paying jobs, especially in the healthcare and legal fields. Pharmacists lead the list with an average salary of around $136,796, ensuring community access to essential medications and health advice. Close behind, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants offer robust earnings of about $124,667 and $119,368 respectively, delivering vital patient care and medical services. Other top-paying positions include Traveling Nurses, Radiologic Technologists, and Attorneys, each offering competitive salaries between $107,073 and $99,090. These roles demand specialized skills and dedication, providing job seekers with promising career paths in Columbia. Occupational Therapists, Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurses, and Dental Hygienists also offer strong compensation packages, making Columbia a desirable place for professionals seeking well-paying jobs.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Columbia, MO, highlighting Pharmacist with the highest at $136,796 and Dental Hygienist with the lowest at $91,298.
  1. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $136,796
    Working in this role, you will help people with their medications. You can find opportunities in local pharmacies. Companies like CVS and Walgreens offer positions. You will ensure people use their medicines safely.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Columbia, MO


  2. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $124,667
    As a nurse practitioner, you provide primary care. You work in hospitals and clinics. Local health centers offer jobs. You diagnose and treat patients. You work with doctors and other healthcare staff.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Columbia, MO


  3. Physician Assistant
    Average Salary: $119,368
    You assist doctors in this role. You can work in hospitals and clinics. Local healthcare facilities need qualified assistants. You see patients, perform exams, and help with treatments. You work closely with doctors and other healthcare providers.
    Find Physician Assistant jobs in Columbia, MO


  4. Traveling Nurse
    Average Salary: $107,073
    Traveling nurses work in different places. You can find jobs in hospitals and clinics. Companies like RNnetwork offer opportunities. You provide care to patients in various locations. You travel and work in different areas.
    Find Traveling Nurse jobs in Columbia, MO


  5. Radiologic Technologist
    Average Salary: $99,390
    In this role, you use imaging equipment. You work in hospitals and clinics. Local medical centers offer positions. You take x-rays and other images. You help doctors diagnose and treat patients. You work with other healthcare staff.
    Find Radiologic Technologist jobs in Columbia, MO


  6. Attorney
    Average Salary: $99,090
    Attorneys provide legal advice. They work in law firms and corporations. Local legal offices offer jobs. You represent clients in court. You prepare legal documents. You help people understand their rights.
    Find Attorney jobs in Columbia, MO


  7. Outside Sales Representative
    Average Salary: $96,522
    This role involves selling products or services. You work for companies like IBM or local businesses. You travel to meet clients. You build relationships with customers. You present products and negotiate deals.
    Find Outside Sales Representative jobs in Columbia, MO


  8. Occupational Therapist
    Average Salary: $92,563
    Occupational therapists help people with daily activities. You work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Local healthcare facilities offer jobs. You help patients regain skills. You work with doctors and other therapists.
    Find Occupational Therapist jobs in Columbia, MO


  9. Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $92,218
    In this role, you care for critically ill patients. You work in hospitals. Local medical centers offer positions. You monitor patients and administer treatments. You work with doctors and other nurses. You provide essential care to those in need.
    Find Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse jobs in Columbia, MO


  10. Dental Hygienist
    Average Salary: $91,298
    Dental hygienists clean teeth and educate patients. They work in dental offices. Local practices offer jobs. They perform cleanings and take x-rays. They work with dentists to ensure good oral health. They help patients maintain healthy teeth.
    Find Dental Hygienist jobs in Columbia, MO

What are the best paying jobs in Columbia, MO without a degree?

Columbia, MO, offers several high-paying job opportunities that do not require a college degree. Concrete finishers lead the way with an average salary of $58,113. Following closely, concrete laborers can expect to earn around $45,275 per year. Both roles provide stable employment with competitive wages. Other rewarding options include landscaping and kitchen management. Landscapers enjoy an average salary of $38,870, while kitchen managers can earn about $38,216 annually. These jobs require practical skills and on-the-job training, making them accessible for those without a degree. Positions like meat cutter, lawn care technician, and beauty consultant also offer solid incomes and a chance to build a successful career.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Columbia, MO without a degree, highlighting Concrete Finisher with the highest at $58,113 and Housekeeping with the lowest at $33,960.
  1. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $58,113
    This role involves smoothing concrete and creating patterns. Work often takes place outdoors. Many local companies hire for this role. Experience with hand tools is key.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Columbia, MO


  2. Concrete Laborer
    Average Salary: $45,275
    Laborers help on construction sites, usually by pouring and smoothing concrete. The work is physically demanding. Most labor is seasonal and tied to construction booms. Knowledge of safety procedures is important.
    Find Concrete Laborer jobs in Columbia, MO


  3. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $38,870
    Landscaping work focuses on designing outdoor spaces, including parks and private yards. Tasks include planting, trimming, and maintaining plants. This job often requires some manual labor. Many local businesses hire for this role.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Columbia, MO


  4. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $38,216
    This role includes overseeing kitchen staff and managing food preparation. Managers also handle inventory and budget. Experience in a fast-paced kitchen is valuable. Many restaurants in the city offer this opportunity.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Columbia, MO


  5. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $37,662
    Meat cutters work in grocery stores, slicing and packaging meat for sale. The job requires precision and attention to detail. Many local stores hire for this role, offering steady employment.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in Columbia, MO


  6. Lawn Care Technician
    Average Salary: $37,254
    Technicians provide lawn care services to homes and businesses. Tasks include mowing, edging, and trimming shrubs. This job often involves outdoor work. Local lawn care companies offer many opportunities.
    Find Lawn Care Technician jobs in Columbia, MO


  7. To Go Specialist
    Average Salary: $36,362
    This role involves preparing and packaging food for customers to take away. It requires speed and accuracy, often in a fast-paced environment. Many local restaurants hire for this role, offering flexible hours.
    Find To Go Specialist jobs in Columbia, MO


  8. Beauty Consultant
    Average Salary: $34,932
    Consultants advise customers on beauty products, often in retail stores. They need product knowledge and good communication skills. Many beauty stores in the area offer this job, providing a customer-facing role.
    Find Beauty Consultant jobs in Columbia, MO


  9. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $34,724
    Floor technicians install and repair flooring materials. This job involves measuring, cutting, and installing various types of flooring. Many local contractors hire for this role, offering steady work.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in Columbia, MO


  10. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $33,960
    Housekeeping staff clean and maintain rooms in hotels and other facilities. The job requires attention to detail and a willingness to work in various conditions. Many hotels in the area offer this role, providing consistent employment.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Columbia, MO

Which companies offer the top salaries in Columbia, MO?

Job seekers in Columbia, MO, will find that several companies offer competitive salaries. The highest-paying company is Favorite Healthcare Staffing, with an average salary of $127,555. Nomad Health follows closely with an average salary of $114,373. Leaf Home also stands out with an average salary of $109,511. Another notable company is Supplemental Health Care, with an average salary of $104,043. FUSION Medical Staffing pays an average of $97,401, while TMC and Encompass Health average around $88,423 and $82,209, respectively. Medical Solutions, EquipmentShare, and CenterPointe Hospital Columbia round out the list with average salaries of $79,940, $73,254, and $69,856. These companies provide excellent opportunities for those seeking rewarding and well-paying jobs in Columbia.
Graph displaying company salaries in Columbia, MO, highlighting Favorite Healthcare Staffing with the highest at $127,555 and CenterPointe Hospital Columbia with the lowest at $69,856.
  1. Favorite Healthcare Staffing
    Average Salary: $127,555
    Favorite Healthcare Staffing is a leading staffing company. They focus on placing healthcare professionals in top-tier facilities. Their commitment to quality care and employee satisfaction drives their success.


  2. Nomad Health
    Average Salary: $114,373
    Nomad Health connects healthcare professionals with temporary assignments. They emphasize flexibility and support, helping their staff achieve work-life balance.


  3. Leaf Home
    Average Salary: $109,511
    Leaf Home offers various staffing solutions. They have a reputation for providing excellent care and support to both their staff and clients.


  4. Supplemental Health Care
    Average Salary: $104,043
    Supplemental Health Care specializes in healthcare staffing. They offer competitive salaries and a supportive work environment.


  5. FUSION Medical Staffing
    Average Salary: $97,401
    FUSION Medical Staffing focuses on matching healthcare professionals with top facilities. They value their staff and provide good benefits.


  6. TMC
    Average Salary: $88,423
    TMC is a well-established company in the healthcare industry. They provide a range of services and are known for their good pay and benefits.


  7. Encompass Health
    Average Salary: $82,209
    Encompass Health is a leader in rehabilitation services. They offer various opportunities in healthcare and prioritize employee well-being.


  8. Medical Solutions
    Average Salary: $79,940
    Medical Solutions is a prominent staffing company. They offer competitive salaries and support their staff with excellent resources.


  9. EquipmentShare
    Average Salary: $73,254
    EquipmentShare provides equipment rental and leasing services. They focus on customer satisfaction and offer good benefits to their employees.


  10. CenterPointe Hospital Columbia
    Average Salary: $69,856
    CenterPointe Hospital Columbia is a healthcare facility. They provide specialized care and offer competitive salaries to their staff.

How does the cost of living in Columbia, MO compare to the national average?

Columbia, MO, offers a lower cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The overall cost of living index for Columbia stands at 84, which is 16% below the average of 100. This means residents can expect to spend less on most aspects of living, with housing costs being notably lower at 25% below the national index. Each category also shows savings. For example, housing costs are at 75, meaning they are 25% lower than the national average. Groceries and utilities are slightly below the national average, while healthcare and transportation costs are in line with or only marginally higher than the average. This data presents a compelling case for job seekers considering Columbia.
Cost of living comparison graph for Columbia, MO vs. Nationwide: housing 25% lower, groceries 10% lower, utilities 5% lower, transportation 15% lower, healthcare 15% lower, miscellaneous 20% lower.

Columbia, Missouri, offers a cost of living that is generally lower than the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Specifically, housing costs in Columbia are 25% lower than the average, with an index score of 75. This makes renting or buying a home more affordable for those considering a move to Columbia.


Other expenses also reflect this trend. For groceries, Columbia's index is at 90, meaning that the cost is only 10% higher than the average. Utilities are close to the average, with an index score of 95, indicating a slight increase of 5%. Transportation costs are 15% lower at 85, while healthcare costs are also 15% below the average at the same index score. Miscellaneous expenses, which include things like clothing and entertainment, are 20% lower, with an index score of 80. Overall, Columbia provides an attractive cost of living for those seeking a more budget-friendly lifestyle without significant trade-offs in quality.

There are 1,858 job openings in Columbia, MO, today!

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City
Overview
Columbia, MO
1,858 Job Openings