SOC 51-9198 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Helpers--Production Workers — Missouri
Missouri · 8 metro areas compared
At $40,580, median pay for Helpers--Production Workers in Missouri tracks the national median of $39,070 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $40,580, median pay for Helpers--Production Workers in Missouri tracks the national median of $39,070 closely. Pay ranges from under $34,330 at the tenth percentile to more than $56,160 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $35,880 to $48,130.
The area has 6,250 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.00 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Missouri ranks number 25th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Joplin records the highest median at $47,850. Of the 733 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 597th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,330 | −12.1% |
| 25th | $35,880 | −8.2% |
| Median (50th) | $40,580 | +3.9% |
| 75th | $48,130 | +23.2% |
| 90th | $56,160 | +43.7% |
| Mean | $42,900 | +9.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joplin | $47,850 | 350 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $42,210 | 1,840 | |
| 3 | Springfield | $41,040 | 480 | |
| 4 | Columbia | $40,550 | 60 | |
| 5 | St. Louis | $40,190 | 2,290 | |
| 6 | St. Joseph | $39,300 | 410 | |
| 7 | Jefferson City | $37,260 | 190 | |
| 8 | Cape Girardeau | $35,270 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $40,580 goes as far as $44,692 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,580as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,692US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,580 a year, 3.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,330 to $56,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,250 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 25th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Joplin, at $47,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Helpers--Production Workers in Missouri?
The median annual wage is $40,580, or $19.51 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 $39,070, so pay in Missouri is 3.9% higher. 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 Missouri earns more than $56,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,330 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 Joplin, at $47,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,250 jobs in this occupation in Missouri. 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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