Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Columbia, MO
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $61,670 a year ($29.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,280 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $64,400. Pay here is about the same as the Missouri statewide median of $61,530. There are 7.4 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,490, close to the median.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| 25th percentile | $53,010 | $25.49 |
| Median | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| 75th percentile | $65,740 | $31.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| Average (mean) | $61,490 | $29.56 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,139.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,569.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,371.92 |
| Weekly | $1,185.96 |
| Hourly | $29.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,120 | 5,180 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,420 | 4,570 |
| Springfield, MO | $61,350 | 1,160 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $60,720 | 290 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $60,340 | 350 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $60,100 | 410 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $58,920 | 400 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,170 | $20.75 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,170 | $33.26 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,980 | $21.14 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $88,540 | $42.57 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Columbia, MO metro area is $61,670 a year, or $29.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $75,280 a year. The top 25% earn $65,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,880 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $53,010 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Columbia, MO?
About 800 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.