SOC 19-1029 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Biological Scientists, All Other — St. Louis
St. Louis, MO-IL · 3 metro areas compared
In St.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In St. Louis, MO the median wage is $78,330. That is 20.8% lower than the national median of $98,920. Pay ranges from under $47,840 at the tenth percentile to more than $136,700 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $52,810 to $118,120.
Employment stands at 480, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Columbia records the highest median at $76,400. Of the 652 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 172nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,840 | −51.6% |
| 25th | $52,810 | −46.6% |
| Median (50th) | $78,330 | −20.8% |
| 75th | $118,120 | +19.4% |
| 90th | $136,700 | +38.2% |
| Mean | $88,500 | −10.5% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $76,400 | 70 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $74,810 | 670 | |
| 3 | Jefferson City | $59,050 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in St. Louis run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $78,330 goes as far as $86,267 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,330as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$86,267US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,330 a year, 20.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,840 to $136,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 480 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbia, at $76,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Biological Scientists, All Other in St. Louis, MO?
The median annual wage is $78,330, or $37.66 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 St. Louis, MO is 20.8% 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 St. Louis, MO earns more than $136,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,840 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 Columbia, at $76,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 480 jobs in this occupation in St. Louis, 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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