Jobs that actually got a raise in Missouri

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the national average (2024), so a Missouri salary is worth about 1.10× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Missouri.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Missouri

OccupationMedian, Missouri · Real change since 2019

1Real Estate Brokers$62,280
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,590 – $111,070+47.9%+86.2% nominal
2Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$102,540
Doctoral or professional degree
$64,160 – $173,480+37.2%+72.8% nominal
3Labor Relations Specialists$93,840
Bachelor's degree
$60,650 – $136,560+35.3%+70.4% nominal
4Driver/Sales Workers$40,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,600 – $57,920+34.0%+68.7% nominal
5Psychiatric Technicians$45,840
Postsecondary nondegree award
$34,870 – $55,530+31.8%+66.0% nominal
6Massage Therapists$62,050
Postsecondary nondegree award
$43,680 – $101,900+29.4%+63.0% nominal
7Manicurists and Pedicurists$39,100
Postsecondary nondegree award
$28,600 – $55,240+28.4%+61.7% nominal
8Tax Preparers$62,780
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,400 – $124,300+27.7%+60.8% nominal
9Machine Feeders and Offbearers$46,580
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $77,100+26.9%+59.7% nominal
10Tree Trimmers and Pruners$61,140
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,560 – $70,950+26.5%+59.3% nominal
11Library Assistants, Clerical$33,760
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,600 – $40,780+26.2%+58.9% nominal
12Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$33,870
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $39,270+25.8%+58.4% nominal
13Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$60,660
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,030 – $67,040+25.7%+58.3% nominal
14Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$34,560
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,870 – $38,030+25.4%+57.9% nominal
15Structural Iron and Steel Workers$77,410
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,650 – $89,350+24.5%+56.8% nominal
16Personal Financial Advisors$99,930
Bachelor's degree
$51,470 – $313,230+24.2%+56.4% nominal
17Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$31,850
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $39,150+24.1%+56.3% nominal
18Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$32,350
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $36,570+23.5%+55.5% nominal
19Food Processing Workers, All Other$44,050
No formal educational credential
$37,420 – $57,190+23.4%+55.4% nominal
20Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56,910
Master's degree
$37,650 – $89,400+23.1%+55.1% nominal
21Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$53,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,020 – $80,080+23.1%+55.0% nominal
22Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$42,890
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,150 – $55,300+22.2%+53.8% nominal
23Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29,260
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $33,960+21.8%+53.4% nominal
24Sewing Machine Operators$35,610
No formal educational credential
$29,550 – $43,240+21.8%+53.4% nominal
25Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$38,130
No formal educational credential
$33,800 – $48,410+21.7%+53.3% nominal
26Nurse Anesthetists$242,630
Master's degree
$177,900 – $362,800+21.6%+53.1% nominal
27Advertising Sales Agents$61,440
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,020 – $128,300+21.5%+53.1% nominal
28Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$38,030
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,630 – $48,670+21.4%+52.9% nominal
29Dishwashers$32,150
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $38,580+20.8%+52.1% nominal
30Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,670
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $39,350+20.7%+52.0% nominal
31Nursing Assistants$37,680
Postsecondary nondegree award
$31,350 – $45,260+20.7%+51.9% nominal
32Waiters and Waitresses$29,400
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $61,440+20.2%+51.3% nominal
33Gambling Dealers$28,600
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,600 – $64,010+18.6%+49.3% nominal
34Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$56,900
Bachelor's degree
$31,190 – $83,500+18.4%+49.1% nominal
35Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$50,010
No formal educational credential
$31,760 – $71,270+18.0%+48.6% nominal
36Social and Human Service Assistants$41,780
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,730 – $50,710+18.0%+48.6% nominal
37Photographers$39,170
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,600 – $74,530+17.9%+48.5% nominal
38Slaughterers and Meat Packers$44,490
No formal educational credential
$34,020 – $49,460+17.7%+48.2% nominal
39Amusement and Recreation Attendants$29,790
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $37,470+17.4%+47.8% nominal
40Natural Sciences Managers$129,410
Bachelor's degree
$65,650 – $229,950+17.4%+47.8% nominal
41Couriers and Messengers$41,410
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,560 – $47,950+17.3%+47.7% nominal
42Fast Food and Counter Workers$30,390
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $36,830+17.2%+47.6% nominal
43Parking Attendants$31,050
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $45,170+17.1%+47.4% nominal
44Cooks, Fast Food$29,890
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $35,290+16.8%+47.1% nominal
45Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$43,520
Associate's degree
$31,940 – $49,260+16.4%+46.5% nominal
46Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$29,130
No formal educational credential
$28,600 – $37,440+16.4%+46.6% nominal
47Cooks, Restaurant$36,940
No formal educational credential
$28,890 – $46,970+15.5%+45.4% nominal
48Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,300
Some college, no degree
$28,600 – $47,310+15.1%+45.0% nominal
49Respiratory Therapists$78,390
Associate's degree
$60,950 – $95,730+15.0%+44.8% nominal
50Recreation Workers$34,320
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,600 – $46,830+15.0%+44.9% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianMissouri	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Real Estate BrokersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,280	$31,590 – $111,070	+47.9%+86.2% nominal
2	Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$102,540	$64,160 – $173,480	+37.2%+72.8% nominal
3	Labor Relations SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$93,840	$60,650 – $136,560	+35.3%+70.4% nominal
4	Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,200	$28,600 – $57,920	+34.0%+68.7% nominal
5	Psychiatric TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$45,840	$34,870 – $55,530	+31.8%+66.0% nominal
6	Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$62,050	$43,680 – $101,900	+29.4%+63.0% nominal
7	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$39,100	$28,600 – $55,240	+28.4%+61.7% nominal
8	Tax PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,780	$31,400 – $124,300	+27.7%+60.8% nominal
9	Machine Feeders and OffbearersNo formal educational credential	$46,580	$31,200 – $77,100	+26.9%+59.7% nominal
10	Tree Trimmers and PrunersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,140	$37,560 – $70,950	+26.5%+59.3% nominal
11	Library Assistants, ClericalHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33,760	$28,600 – $40,780	+26.2%+58.9% nominal
12	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNo formal educational credential	$33,870	$28,600 – $39,270	+25.8%+58.4% nominal
13	Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,660	$39,030 – $67,040	+25.7%+58.3% nominal
14	Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34,560	$28,870 – $38,030	+25.4%+57.9% nominal
15	Structural Iron and Steel WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$77,410	$48,650 – $89,350	+24.5%+56.8% nominal
16	Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree	$99,930	$51,470 – $313,230	+24.2%+56.4% nominal
17	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$31,850	$28,600 – $39,150	+24.1%+56.3% nominal
18	Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersNo formal educational credential	$32,350	$28,600 – $36,570	+23.5%+55.5% nominal
19	Food Processing Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential	$44,050	$37,420 – $57,190	+23.4%+55.4% nominal
20	Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsMaster's degree	$56,910	$37,650 – $89,400	+23.1%+55.1% nominal
21	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$53,160	$38,020 – $80,080	+23.1%+55.0% nominal
22	Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42,890	$34,150 – $55,300	+22.2%+53.8% nominal
23	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNo formal educational credential	$29,260	$28,600 – $33,960	+21.8%+53.4% nominal
24	Sewing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$35,610	$29,550 – $43,240	+21.8%+53.4% nominal
25	Automotive and Watercraft Service AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$38,130	$33,800 – $48,410	+21.7%+53.3% nominal
26	Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree	$242,630	$177,900 – $362,800	+21.6%+53.1% nominal
27	Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,440	$37,020 – $128,300	+21.5%+53.1% nominal
28	Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,030	$30,630 – $48,670	+21.4%+52.9% nominal
29	DishwashersNo formal educational credential	$32,150	$28,600 – $38,580	+20.8%+52.1% nominal
30	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$33,670	$28,600 – $39,350	+20.7%+52.0% nominal
31	Nursing AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37,680	$31,350 – $45,260	+20.7%+51.9% nominal
32	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$29,400	$28,600 – $61,440	+20.2%+51.3% nominal
33	Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$28,600	$28,600 – $64,010	+18.6%+49.3% nominal
34	Meeting, Convention, and Event PlannersBachelor's degree	$56,900	$31,190 – $83,500	+18.4%+49.1% nominal
35	Refuse and Recyclable Material CollectorsNo formal educational credential	$50,010	$31,760 – $71,270	+18.0%+48.6% nominal
36	Social and Human Service AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41,780	$31,730 – $50,710	+18.0%+48.6% nominal
37	PhotographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,170	$29,600 – $74,530	+17.9%+48.5% nominal
38	Slaughterers and Meat PackersNo formal educational credential	$44,490	$34,020 – $49,460	+17.7%+48.2% nominal
39	Amusement and Recreation AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$29,790	$28,600 – $37,470	+17.4%+47.8% nominal
40	Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree	$129,410	$65,650 – $229,950	+17.4%+47.8% nominal
41	Couriers and MessengersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41,410	$33,560 – $47,950	+17.3%+47.7% nominal
42	Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential	$30,390	$28,600 – $36,830	+17.2%+47.6% nominal
43	Parking AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$31,050	$28,600 – $45,170	+17.1%+47.4% nominal
44	Cooks, Fast FoodNo formal educational credential	$29,890	$28,600 – $35,290	+16.8%+47.1% nominal
45	Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$43,520	$31,940 – $49,260	+16.4%+46.5% nominal
46	Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopNo formal educational credential	$29,130	$28,600 – $37,440	+16.4%+46.6% nominal
47	Cooks, RestaurantNo formal educational credential	$36,940	$28,890 – $46,970	+15.5%+45.4% nominal
48	Teaching Assistants, Except PostsecondarySome college, no degree	$36,300	$28,600 – $47,310	+15.1%+45.0% nominal
49	Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree	$78,390	$60,950 – $95,730	+15.0%+44.8% nominal
50	Recreation WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34,320	$28,600 – $46,830	+15.0%+44.9% nominal

More for Missouri

Metro areas in Missouri

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Missouri

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Missouri to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Missouri

More for Missouri

Metro areas in Missouri

By field in Missouri

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state