Highest paying jobs in Columbia, MO
The best paying occupations in the Columbia, MO metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 10.6% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianColumbia, MO | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $312,080 | $149,990 – $393,700 | 190 |
| 2 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $310,170 | $215,420 – $310,170 | 90 |
| 3 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $207,450 | $88,610 – $352,760 | 60 |
| 4 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $159,890 | $78,610 – $377,490 | 90 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $140,040 | $109,010 – $173,920 | 50 |
| 6 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $139,430 | $115,650 – $173,310 | 280 |
| 7 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $132,220 | $107,340 – $161,670 | 140 |
| 8 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,190 | $84,480 – $205,730 | 150 |
| 9 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $129,700 | $82,320 – $209,090 | 340 |
| 10 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $128,930 | $108,840 – $155,990 | 330 |
| 11 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,440 | $88,610 – $185,540 | 50 |
| 12 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,120 | $77,780 – $232,490 | 660 |
| 13 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $123,150 | $64,850 – $177,490 | 330 |
| 14 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $120,590 | $50,640 – $294,100 | 130 |
| 15 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $119,520 | $73,440 – $201,300 | 210 |
| 16 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $117,570 | $77,490 – $314,130 | 390 |
| 17 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $111,760 | $68,680 – $179,740 | 530 |
| 18 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $111,310 | $80,080 – $159,670 | 80 |
| 19 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $107,890 | $61,990 – $217,540 | 400 |
| 20 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $107,880 | $71,320 – $194,400 | 80 |
| 21 | Physics Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $106,680 | $51,620 – $128,670 | 30 |
| 22 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $106,210 | $75,880 – $148,740 | 150 |
| 23 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $105,640 | $57,210 – $167,460 | 190 |
| 24 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $105,640 | $61,650 – $175,270 | 80 |
| 25 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $104,760 | $63,170 – $148,310 | 60 |
| 26 | Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All OtherMaster's degree | $102,540 | $81,330 – $175,760 | 50 |
| 27 | Chemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $102,400 | $50,110 – $210,260 | 80 |
| 28 | Bioengineers and Biomedical EngineersBachelor's degree | $101,800 | $59,700 – $128,050 | 50 |
| 29 | Financial Risk SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $101,570 | $61,420 – $173,310 | 140 |
| 30 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $101,130 | $70,770 – $141,420 | 140 |
| 31 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $101,020 | $72,850 – $155,760 | 530 |
| 32 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $100,800 | $49,560 – $198,030 | 170 |
| 33 | Mathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $100,800 | $48,290 – $121,820 | 80 |
| 34 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $99,620 | $38,180 – $186,870 | 140 |
| 35 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $99,000 | $69,250 – $133,950 | 30 |
| 36 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $98,550 | $71,620 – $129,360 | 160 |
| 37 | Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree | $97,610 | $58,760 – $128,230 | 140 |
| 38 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $97,600 | $60,390 – $144,660 | 110 |
| 39 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,390 | $58,730 – $102,660 | 80 |
| 40 | Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $95,990 | $56,000 – $120,750 | 40 |
| 41 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $95,600 | $66,750 – $122,380 | 220 |
| 42 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $93,480 | $36,910 – $162,120 | 60 |
| 43 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $88,540 | $64,590 – $97,960 | 50 |
| 44 | ChemistsBachelor's degree | $87,000 | $44,760 – $105,550 | 90 |
| 45 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $86,300 | $53,020 – $97,850 | 140 |
| 46 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $85,740 | $61,430 – $136,590 | 80 |
| 47 | Financial and Investment AnalystsBachelor's degree | $85,130 | $52,000 – $118,990 | 100 |
| 48 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $84,980 | $70,340 – $103,230 | 60 |
| 49 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $84,870 | $59,980 – $126,940 | 290 |
| 50 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $84,330 | $63,080 – $105,790 | 3,680 |