Registered Nurse Salary in Missouri (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Registered Nurses in Missouri, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$81,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#40 of 51
76,310 employed here

How much does a Registered Nurse make in Missouri?

A Registered Nurse working in Missouri earns a median salary of $81,780 per year, or about $39.32 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $97,550 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $63,230 while the top 10% make $104,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,050 and $98,560 a year.

Registered Nurse salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$63,230$30.40
25th percentile (early career)$76,050$36.56
50th percentile (median)$81,780$39.32
75th percentile (experienced)$98,560$47.38
90th percentile (top earners)$104,390$50.19

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$140,270
2Hawaii$136,320
3Oregon$129,010
4Washington$124,200
5Alaska$109,480

Working as a Registered Nurse in Missouri

Nationally, about 3,380,000 people work as Registered Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Missouri pay ($81,780) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in Missouri?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Missouri is $81,780 per year, or about $39.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,230 at the entry level to $104,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Registered Nurses about 16% less than the national median of $97,550. Missouri ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Registered Nurses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,780 a year. About 76,310 Registered Nurses are employed in Missouri. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Registered Nurse salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.