SOC 31-1120 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Home Health and Personal Care Aides — Columbia
Columbia, MO · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Home Health and Personal Care Aides in Columbia, MO is $36,860 per year, close to the national median of $35,800 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Home Health and Personal Care Aides in Columbia, MO is $36,860 per year, close to the national median of $35,800 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $32,130 and $40,650. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $28,600 and the ninetieth at $45,280.
Employment stands at 3,000, or 27.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Joplin records the highest median at $34,800. Of the 336 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 283rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,600 | −20.1% |
| 25th | $32,130 | −10.3% |
| Median (50th) | $36,860 | +3.0% |
| 75th | $40,650 | +13.5% |
| 90th | $45,280 | +26.5% |
| Mean | $36,950 | +3.2% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joplin | $34,800 | 2,050 | |
| 2 | St. Louis | $34,490 | 44,200 | |
| 3 | Cape Girardeau | $33,940 | 1,540 | |
| 4 | Kansas City | $32,780 | 20,870 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $32,190 | 7,060 | |
| 6 | Jefferson City | $31,830 | 1,170 | |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $31,250 | 1,760 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $36,860 goes as far as $40,595 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,595US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,860 a year, 3.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,600 to $45,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,000 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Joplin, at $34,800.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Home Health and Personal Care Aides in Columbia, MO?
The median annual wage is $36,860, or $17.72 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 $35,800, so pay in Columbia, MO is 3.0% 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 Columbia, MO earns more than $45,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,600 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 $34,800 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,000 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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