Nurse Practitioner Salary in Missouri: $134,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $134,799/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $150,445 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: St. Louis ($131,580), Independence ($131,467), Kansas City ($130,760).
In Missouri, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 is projected to be $134,798, which is slightly below the national median of $136,864, representing a 1.5% difference. The highest-paying city in the state is St. Louis, where salaries are expected to reach $136,120, while the lowest-paying area is Hannibal with a projected salary of $122,969. This $13,151 gap can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and specific local job markets. Missouri's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws play a significant role in the job landscape for nurse practitioners. The state allows full practice status, which enables nurse practitioners to evaluate, diagnose, interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate treatment plans independently, contributing to the demand for their services. With an expected annual growth rate of 3.45%, the job market for nurse practitioners in Missouri appears promising. Major cities like Independence ($136,003), Kansas City ($135,271), St. Peters ($135,008), and St. Charles ($134,755) also show strong salary potential. Overall, the demand for nurse practitioners is driven by an increasing population and healthcare needs, making this a favorable time to enter the profession in Missouri.
Missouri Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $97,581 (lowest entry-level) to $189,490 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri nurse practitioners earn 1.51% less than the national median ($-2,065/year difference).
Missouri Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Missouri range from $106,226 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $166,169 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $134,799. The Missouri median is $2,065 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $64.81/hr. Approximately 8,072 nurse practitioners are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$102,256
2025 BLS Actual
$130,303
2026 Current Est.
$134,799
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,256 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,904 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,343 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,189 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,632 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,303 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,449 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 27.4% from $102,256 (2019) to $130,303 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,449 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,193 (36.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hannibal | $122,969 |
| Raymore | $123,369 |
| Branson | $123,840 |
| Belton | $125,995 |
| Wentzville | $127,069 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $134,485 | 86.078 | $156,236 |
| St. Joseph | $133,150 | 86.382 | $154,141 |
| Joplin | $131,009 | 85.718 | $152,837 |
| Independence | $136,003 | 89.6 | $151,789 |
| Jefferson City | $133,150 | 87.975 | $151,350 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $106,226 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $134,799 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $166,169 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $136,120 |
| 2 | Independence | $136,003 |
| 3 | Kansas City | $135,271 |
| 4 | St. Peters | $135,008 |
| 5 | St. Charles | $134,755 |
| 6 | Cape Girardeau | $134,485 |
| 7 | Columbia | $133,378 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $133,193 |
| 9 | Jefferson City | $133,150 |
| 10 | St. Joseph | $133,150 |
| 11 | Florissant | $132,497 |
| 12 | Wildwood | $132,206 |
| 13 | Kirkwood | $132,167 |
| 14 | Lee's Summit | $132,093 |
| 15 | Chesterfield | $132,074 |
| 16 | University City | $131,382 |
| 17 | Liberty | $131,330 |
| 18 | Grandview | $131,102 |
| 19 | Joplin | $131,009 |
| 20 | Maryland Heights | $130,885 |
| 21 | Springfield | $129,964 |
| 22 | Blue Springs | $129,404 |
| 23 | Raytown | $128,631 |
| 24 | Webster Groves | $127,989 |
| 25 | Sedalia | $127,949 |
| 26 | Ballwin | $127,720 |
| 27 | Nixa | $127,709 |
| 28 | Gladstone | $127,369 |
| 29 | Wentzville | $127,069 |
| 30 | Belton | $125,995 |
| 31 | Branson | $123,840 |
| 32 | Raymore | $123,369 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $122,969 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Missouri?
How does Missouri nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Missouri?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov