SOC 21-1021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Child, Family, and School Social Workers — Columbia
Columbia, MO · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Columbia, MO is $45,460 a year, trailing the national median of $59,550 by 23.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Columbia, MO is $45,460 a year, trailing the national median of $59,550 by 23.7%. Half of workers earn between $36,350 and $51,080. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,630 and the ninetieth at $58,920.
The area has 390 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.6 of every thousand jobs. Jefferson City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $51,710. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 231st of 336 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,630 | −40.2% |
| 25th | $36,350 | −39.0% |
| Median (50th) | $45,460 | −23.7% |
| 75th | $51,080 | −14.2% |
| 90th | $58,920 | −1.1% |
| Mean | $46,190 | −22.4% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson City | $51,710 | 440 | |
| 2 | St. Louis | $51,080 | 3,790 | |
| 3 | Kansas City | $49,880 | 2,620 | |
| 4 | St. Joseph | $49,060 | 190 | |
| 5 | Joplin | $48,600 | 330 | |
| 6 | Springfield | $47,980 | 870 | |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $46,430 | 250 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $45,460 goes as far as $50,066 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,066US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,460 a year, 23.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,630 to $58,920 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 390 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Jefferson City, at $51,710.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in Columbia, MO?
The median annual wage is $45,460, or $21.85 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 $59,550, so pay in Columbia, MO is 23.7% 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 $58,920 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,630 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 Jefferson City, at $51,710 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 390 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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