SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Central Missouri
Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
In Central Missouri, MO the median wage is $81,570.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Central Missouri, MO the median wage is $81,570. That is 21.7% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay ranges from under $54,740 at the tenth percentile to more than $112,690 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $64,020 to $96,050.
The area has 150 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.52 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $100,340. Of the 371 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 52nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $54,740 | −47.4% |
| 25th | $64,020 | −38.5% |
| Median (50th) | $81,570 | −21.7% |
| 75th | $96,050 | −7.7% |
| 90th | $112,690 | +8.2% |
| Mean | $82,620 | −20.6% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $100,340 | 2,190 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $99,630 | 4,330 | |
| 3 | Cape Girardeau | $94,940 | 40 | |
| 4 | Jefferson City | $89,120 | 60 | |
| 5 | Joplin | $83,430 | 110 | |
| 6 | Columbia | $82,200 | 80 | |
| 7 | Springfield | $80,020 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $81,570 goes as far as $89,835 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$81,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$89,835US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $81,570 a year, 21.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $54,740 to $112,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $100,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Central Missouri, MO?
The median annual wage is $81,570, or $39.22 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 $104,110, so pay in Central Missouri, MO is 21.7% 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 Central Missouri, MO earns more than $112,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $54,740 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 $100,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Central Missouri, 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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