PermanentPosted today
RN: Cardiac ICU - Weekend Nights
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
$34.46–$51.02/ hour
New this week
Registered Nurse jobs in Columbia, MO
The median registered nurse pay in the Columbia area is $39.12 per hour ($81,370 a year), with the typical range running from $31.98 to $45.03. 3 open roles with published pay are listed for Columbia. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Columbia. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Columbia.
- $39.12median pay per hour, Columbia
- $32–$45typical range per hour
- 3,640registered nurses employed in the metro area
- 3open roles with published pay
Open Registered Nurse roles in Columbia
PermanentPosted 13 days ago
Registered Nurse - Community Living Center Nurse
Veterans Health Administration · Columbia, MO
$80k–$141k/ year
Top 25% pay
For youUpdated weekly
160+ more Registered Nurse roles for you in Columbia, MO
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
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PermanentPosted 28 days ago
Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgery Clinic – Columbia, MO
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
$29.77–$43.00/ hour
More open Registered Nurse roles in Columbia
35 more open roles from employers in Columbia. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.
PermanentPosted today
RN - Neonatal ICU Weekend Nights
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted today
RN: Staff Nurse II – Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Unit – Full Time
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
Per diemPosted yesterday
Registered Nurse Operating Room PRN
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
Per diemPosted yesterday
Registered Nurse (RN) - Adult Overflow - PRN
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Registered Nurse (RN) – Keene St. Urgent Care – Columbia, MO
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 3 days ago
RN: Progressive Care - Nights
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 6 days ago
RN: Acute Surgical Care - Sat & Sun Only
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 6 days ago
RN: Neuroscience ICU - Days - RN Weekend Program
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 6 days ago
RN: Neuroscience ICU -Nights - RN Weekend Program
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 6 days ago
RN: Acute Surgical Care - Days
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 6 days ago
RN: Family Medicine - Nights
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
New this week
PermanentPosted 8 days ago
RN: Family Medicine - Days
University of Missouri Health Care · Columbia, MO
Pay range with your report
Get the Columbia Registered Nurse pay report
Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportWho is hiring registered nurses near Columbia
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri Health Care | 2 | $39.56 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $53.15 |
Registered Nurse pay in Columbia, MO
The metro median is 2% above the Missouri statewide median of $38.35 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.00 per hour. BLS counts about 3,640 registered nurses employed in the Columbia metro area, 34.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.62).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $28.65 | $59,590 | 36% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $31.98 | $66,520 | 29% below U.S. median |
| Median | $39.12 | $81,370 | 13% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $45.03 | $93,660 | in line with U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $49.33 | $102,610 | 10% above U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 206th of 379 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 137th of 335 after adjusting for local prices
- 3rd of 8 Missouri metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $39.12 median hour buys what $43.74 buys at the national price level, 3% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Estimate your Columbia paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,408
- Per year: $70,416
- Per month: $5,868
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Columbia
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel registered nurse assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Columbia
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbia, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of registered nurses.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone Hospital Center Columbia, MO | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Columbia Mo Va Medical Center Columbia, MO | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| University Of Missouri Health Care Columbia, MO | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Centerpointe Hospital Of Columbia Columbia, MO | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Boone County
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Boone County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 17 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Registered Nurse pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon, MO | 87 mi | $39.69/hr | 95,355 |
| St. Peters, MO | 93 mi | $39.69/hr | 61,398 |
| St. Charles, MO | 98 mi | $39.69/hr | 72,458 |
| Blue Springs, MO | 104 mi | $39.73/hr | 61,246 |
| Florissant, MO | 108 mi | $39.69/hr | 51,290 |
| Independence, MO | 109 mi | $39.73/hr | 121,629 |
Registered Nurse jobs in Missouri · Registered Nurse jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Missouri
Missouri is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Missouri license by endorsement.
Missouri taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do registered nurses make in Columbia, MO?
Registered Nurses in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $39.12 per hour, about $81,370 a year. The middle half earn between $31.98 and $45.03 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for registered nurses once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 137th of 335 metro areas for registered nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 206th of 379 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring registered nurses in Columbia?
We list 3 open roles with published pay from 2 employers in Columbia. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Columbia.
Do I need a Missouri license to work in Columbia as a registered nurse?
Missouri is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Missouri license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Columbia in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Boone County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Columbia?
The federal per diem benchmark in Columbia is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place registered nurses in Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near Columbia pay registered nurses? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
510+ Registered Nurse roles in Missouri, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your RN pay reportColumbia, MO · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- University of Missouri Health CareColumbia, MO · 2 postings$39.56/ hr$30–$51
- Veterans Health AdministrationKansas City, MO · 8 postings$52.14/ hr$33–$76
- Select MedicalSaint Louis, MO · 9 postings$46.00/ hr$34–$56
- Truman Medical Centers, Inc.Kansas City, MO · 2 wage offers$32.45/ hr$32–$33
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$34Median$46.61High$62
22 RN postings with published pay in Missouri, 21 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 22 RN roles
- Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental HealthPer diem$75k–$154k/ year
- Registered Nurse - Mental HealthPermanent$75k–$154k/ year
+ 20 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.