SOC 19-1029 · Columbia, MO metro

Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in Columbia, MO

The average salary for other biological scientists in Columbia, Missouri is $82,050 a year ($39.45 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $76,400: half of the 70 people in this job in the Columbia, MO metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 23% less than the U.S. average for this job ($106,330).

$82,050average per year

$39.45 / hourMedian $76,400Take-home ≈ $63,633

  • $55K10th
  • $63K25th
  • $76KMedian
  • $97K75th
  • $109K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

70people in this job
-23%vs U.S. average
#2 of 4Missouri metros
89cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Biological Scientists, All Other pay range in Columbia

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,950 a year or less, while the top 10% make $109,300 or more. The middle half of other biological scientists in Columbia earn between $62,930 and $97,470.

  • $55K10th
  • $63K25th
  • $76KMedian
  • $97K75th
  • $109K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$82,050$6,838$39.45
Median$76,400$6,367$36.73
Entry level (25th percentile)$62,930$5,244$30.25
Experienced (75th percentile)$97,470$8,122$46.86

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Biological Scientists, All Other pay in Columbia vs. Missouri and the U.S.

Other biological scientists in Columbia earn 9% more than the Missouri average ($75,210) and 23% less than the U.S. average ($106,330). At the median the gap is -23% against the U.S. median of $98,920.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Columbia$82,050$76,400$54,950$109,30070
Missouri$75,210$63,290$42,540$122,0501,120
United States$106,330$98,920$60,430$168,01055,850

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Biological Scientists, All Other salary after taxes in Columbia

On the average salary of $82,050, a single filer in Columbia takes home about $63,633 a year, or $5,303 a month and $2,447 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.

Missouri paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Columbia a good place for other biological scientists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Columbia area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.4), so the average $82,050 buys what about $91,740 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbia ($47,260). A typical home costs $323,951, or 3.9 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $82,050 is worth in another city

Biological Scientists, All Other salary in other Missouri cities

Columbia ranks 2nd of 4 Missouri metro areas for this job; St. Louis pays the most ($88,500).

All Biological Scientists, All Other salaries in Missouri

Highest-paying cities for other biological scientists

San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,020).

Biological Scientists, All Other salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Biological Scientists, All Other in Columbia, MO.

Biological Scientists, All Other salary in Columbia: questions

How much do other biological scientists make an hour in Columbia?

$39.45 an hour on average, and $36.73 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level other biological scientists salary in Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,950 a year and the 25th percentile is $62,930, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the other biological scientists take-home pay in Columbia?

About $63,633 a year ($5,303 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $82,050. The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.

Do other biological scientists earn more in Columbia than elsewhere?

The average here is 23% less than the U.S. average for this job ($106,330).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1029; area Columbia, MO (17860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.8%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.71, this job is 1.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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