SOC 19-1029 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Biological Scientists, All Other — Columbia
Columbia, MO · 3 metro areas compared
In Columbia, MO the median wage is $76,400.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Columbia, MO the median wage is $76,400. That is 22.8% lower than the national median of $98,920. Pay ranges from under $54,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $109,300 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $62,930 to $97,470.
Employment stands at 70, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $78,330. Of the 336 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 80th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $54,950 | −44.5% |
| 25th | $62,930 | −36.4% |
| Median (50th) | $76,400 | −22.8% |
| 75th | $97,470 | −1.5% |
| 90th | $109,300 | +10.5% |
| Mean | $82,050 | −17.1% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $78,330 | 480 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $74,810 | 670 | |
| 3 | Jefferson City | $59,050 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $76,400 goes as far as $84,141 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$84,141US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,400 a year, 22.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $54,950 to $109,300 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $78,330.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Biological Scientists, All Other in Columbia, MO?
The median annual wage is $76,400, or $36.73 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $98,920, so pay in Columbia, MO is 22.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbia, MO earns more than $109,300 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $54,950 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in St. Louis, at $78,330 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, MO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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