SOC 31-1131 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Nursing Assistants — Southeast Missouri
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Nursing Assistants in Southeast Missouri, MO is $35,870 per year, 15.1% below the national median of $42,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Nursing Assistants in Southeast Missouri, MO is $35,870 per year, 15.1% below the national median of $42,260. Half of workers earn between $30,450 and $37,900. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $29,560 and the ninetieth at $43,640.
The area has 2,950 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 17.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Columbia records the highest median at $41,290. Of the 344 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 281st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,560 | −30.1% |
| 25th | $30,450 | −27.9% |
| Median (50th) | $35,870 | −15.1% |
| 75th | $37,900 | −10.3% |
| 90th | $43,640 | +3.3% |
| Mean | $35,770 | −15.4% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $41,290 | 2,040 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $39,710 | 13,370 | |
| 3 | St. Louis | $39,110 | 14,620 | |
| 4 | Cape Girardeau | $36,650 | 680 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $36,180 | 3,150 | |
| 6 | Jefferson City | $36,080 | 630 | |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $35,900 | 620 | |
| 8 | Joplin | $34,600 | 1,180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $35,870 goes as far as $39,504 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,504US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,870 a year, 15.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,560 to $43,640 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,950 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbia, at $41,290.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Nursing Assistants in Southeast Missouri, MO?
The median annual wage is $35,870, or $17.24 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 $42,260, so pay in Southeast Missouri, MO is 15.1% 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 Southeast Missouri, MO earns more than $43,640 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,560 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 $41,290 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,950 jobs in this occupation in Southeast 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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