Registered Nurse salary in Missouri
A registered nurse in Missouri earns an estimated $81,780 a year ($39.32/hr) — about 16% below the U.S. average, with most between $76,050 and $98,560. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered Nurse — Missouri
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$81,780
-16% vs nationalHourly
$39.32/hr
- Typical range
- $76,050–$98,560
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $104,390
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $63,230
- Newer nurses
Registered Nurse pay by city in Missouri
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Kansas City | $83,040 | $39.92 |
Registered Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Missouri compares to states with similar registered nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Missouri
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects registered nurse pay in Missouri
Pay below the national median. For a registered nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Missouri in official U.S. government wage data — about 16% below the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Missouri, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,230 and the highest-paid 10% about $104,390. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this state figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Missouri — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Missouri make this page more precise over time.
Registered Nurse salary in Missouri — FAQ
- How much does a registered nurse make in Missouri?
- A registered nurse in Missouri earns an estimated $81,780 a year — about $39.32 an hour, with most between $76,050 and $98,560. That's about 16% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Missouri's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Missouri a good state for registered nurses?
- For pay, Missouri sits about 16% below the national average for registered nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $81,780 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Missouri pays registered nurses the most?
- Among Missouri metros we track, St. Louis tends to have the highest estimated pay for registered nurses, at roughly $83,180 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Missouri registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a registered nurse is about $97,550 a year, versus an estimated $81,780 in Missouri — about 16% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)
Missouri figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Missouri (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national registered nurse pay adjusted for Missouri. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.