Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Missouri (2026)
The highest-paying job in Missouri is Pediatrician with a state-aggregated median salary of $232,436 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 2 BLS-tracked metros. Across all 64 occupations the average median is $101,903, with 26 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Missouri's average cost-of-living index is 93, so the average median equates to $109,573 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Missouri — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Missouri's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Missouri to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Missouri
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Missouri's 2 BLS-tracked metros.
State median $232,436 · 390 jobs · top metro: Kansas City ($271,410)
Pediatricians in Missouri earn $232,436 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Kansas City) pays $271,410 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $192,563 · 2,320 jobs · top metro: St. Louis ($210,430)
Dentists in Missouri earn $192,563 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (St. Louis) pays $210,430 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $167,529 · 10,870 jobs · top metro: Kansas City ($168,050)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Missouri earn $167,529 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Kansas City) pays $168,050 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $160,296 · 12,160 jobs · top metro: Kansas City ($162,490)
Financial Managers in Missouri earn $160,296 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Kansas City) pays $162,490 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $138,972 · 5,550 jobs · top metro: Kansas City ($139,460)
Pharmacists in Missouri earn $138,972 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Kansas City) pays $139,460 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $138,944 · 11,410 jobs · top metro: St. Louis ($142,690)
Lawyers in Missouri earn $138,944 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (St. Louis) pays $142,690 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $138,422 · 5,800 jobs · top metro: Kansas City ($139,240)
Marketing Managers in Missouri earn $138,422 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Kansas City) pays $139,240 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $137,078 · 790 jobs · top metro: Kansas City ($138,580)
Optometrists in Missouri earn $137,078 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Kansas City) pays $138,580 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $136,794 · 3,320 jobs · top metro: Kansas City ($140,890)
Human Resources Managers in Missouri earn $136,794 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Kansas City) pays $140,890 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $135,289 · 1,800 jobs · top metro: St. Louis ($136,120)
Physician Assistants in Missouri earn $135,289 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (St. Louis) pays $136,120 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 64 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $232,436 | Kansas City | $271,410 | 390 |
| 2 | Dentist | Healthcare | $192,563 | St. Louis | $210,430 | 2,320 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $167,529 | Kansas City | $168,050 | 10,870 |
| 4 | Financial Manager | Finance | $160,296 | Kansas City | $162,490 | 12,160 |
| 5 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $138,972 | Kansas City | $139,460 | 5,550 |
| 6 | Lawyer | Legal | $138,944 | St. Louis | $142,690 | 11,410 |
| 7 | Marketing Manager | Management | $138,422 | Kansas City | $139,240 | 5,800 |
| 8 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $137,078 | Kansas City | $138,580 | 790 |
| 9 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $136,794 | Kansas City | $140,890 | 3,320 |
| 10 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $135,289 | St. Louis | $136,120 | 1,800 |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $131,217 | St. Louis | $131,580 | 6,160 |
| 12 | Software Developer | Technology | $126,795 | St. Louis | $129,030 | 21,980 |
| 13 | Sales Manager | Management | $123,870 | Kansas City | $159,990 | 4,060 |
| 14 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $122,474 | Kansas City | $122,490 | 1,560 |
| 15 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $121,938 | St. Louis | $142,660 | 220 |
| 16 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $116,331 | St. Louis | $123,960 | 3,050 |
| 17 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $114,795 | Kansas City | $123,140 | 6,130 |
| 18 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $114,493 | Kansas City | $124,990 | 8,950 |
| 19 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $112,786 | Kansas City | $213,950 | 2,250 |
| 20 | Statistician | Technology | $111,780 | Kansas City | $111,780 | 100 |
| 21 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $107,415 | St. Louis | $108,450 | 11,230 |
| 22 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $105,191 | Kansas City | $107,450 | 3,630 |
| 23 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $105,156 | St. Louis | $106,420 | 3,450 |
| 24 | Database Architect | Technology | $104,201 | St. Louis | $104,650 | 990 |
| 25 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $101,449 | St. Louis | $102,230 | 4,660 |
| 26 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $100,900 | Kansas City | $101,270 | 4,490 |
| 27 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $99,868 | St. Louis | $100,340 | 6,520 |
| 28 | Management Analyst | Management | $99,848 | St. Louis | $101,100 | 9,600 |
| 29 | Data Scientist | Technology | $99,687 | Kansas City | $99,870 | 3,900 |
| 30 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $99,564 | Kansas City | $99,650 | 210 |
| 31 | Architect | Engineering | $99,457 | Kansas City | $99,920 | 2,130 |
| 32 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $99,036 | Kansas City | $101,830 | 1,160 |
| 33 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $99,024 | St. Louis | $103,880 | 1,260 |
| 34 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $98,960 | St. Louis | $99,950 | 4,700 |
| 35 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $98,896 | Kansas City | $101,340 | 8,100 |
| 36 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $97,858 | Kansas City | $98,860 | 6,380 |
| 37 | Web Designer | Technology | $97,638 | St. Louis | $106,360 | 1,010 |
| 38 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $97,489 | Kansas City | $99,840 | 3,220 |
| 39 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $96,568 | St. Louis | $101,730 | 1,190 |
| 40 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $95,417 | St. Louis | $97,650 | 3,950 |
| 41 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $94,785 | Kansas City | $94,970 | 2,790 |
| 42 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $92,077 | St. Louis | $93,140 | 77,490 |
| 43 | Network Architect | Technology | $90,438 | Kansas City | $91,980 | 5,600 |
| 44 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $86,322 | St. Louis | $86,480 | 2,900 |
| 45 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $84,917 | Kansas City | $89,300 | 1,720 |
| 46 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $83,116 | St. Louis | $83,180 | 64,850 |
| 47 | Accountant | Finance | $79,405 | Kansas City | $80,040 | 24,870 |
| 48 | Loan Officer | Finance | $78,011 | Kansas City | $82,330 | 4,870 |
| 49 | Electrician | Trades | $77,022 | St. Louis | $77,170 | 11,320 |
| 50 | Plumber | Trades | $76,592 | St. Louis | $77,000 | 7,800 |
| 51 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $75,634 | Kansas City | $77,040 | 2,930 |
| 52 | Web Developer | Technology | $75,074 | Kansas City | $75,690 | 960 |
| 53 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $73,358 | St. Louis | $74,130 | 13,900 |
| 54 | Carpenter | Trades | $67,443 | St. Louis | $70,990 | 11,750 |
| 55 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $66,595 | Kansas City | $68,050 | 3,940 |
| 56 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $63,650 | Kansas City | $85,380 | 900 |
| 57 | Paralegal | Legal | $62,769 | Kansas City | $63,880 | 6,930 |
| 58 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $61,721 | St. Louis | $62,130 | 17,620 |
| 59 | Writer/Author | Creative | $61,553 | Kansas City | $67,230 | 520 |
| 60 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $60,839 | Kansas City | $61,060 | 24,940 |
| 61 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $60,711 | St. Louis | $61,830 | 6,950 |
| 62 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $60,534 | St. Louis | $61,000 | 3,730 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $56,365 | St. Louis | $58,190 | 12,970 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $54,448 | Kansas City | $57,370 | 5,530 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Missouri
Missouri's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
$Missouri tracks $2 BLS-published metros covering approximately $508,430 workers across the $64 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Pediatrician top spot reflects Kansas City pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Missouri typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Missouri, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Missouri is Pediatrician with a state median salary of $232,436. The top-paying metro for this role is Kansas City at $271,410 median. The role employs roughly 390 workers across Missouri.
26 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Missouri have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Missouri is $101,903. The figure is employment-weighted across 2 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $109,573.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Missouri, this page aggregates Kansas City, St. Louis. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Missouri.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Missouri, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.