Average registered nurse compensation in Missouri across seven career stages — from new grad RN to Chief Nursing Officer. Updated 2026 benchmarks to help you negotiate, plan, and grow.
RN Salary by Role in Missouri
RN salaries in Missouri run below the national average, with staff nurses earning around $66,000 a year — though the lower cost of living often helps offset the gap.
Pay climbs steadily with experience and responsibility. New grad RNs in Missouri typically start around $48,000, while nurses who move into specialty units like the ICU, ER, or OR can expect closer to $75,000. Stepping into leadership pays off too — nurse managers average around $84,000, directors of nursing around $97,000, and chief nursing officers can earn $114,000 or more. Nurses who pursue advanced practice (NP, CNS, CRNA, or CNM) report average earnings near $84,000.
Missouri is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate RN or LPN license issued here is valid for practice in other compact states — useful for travel nursing, telehealth, or relocating without re-licensing.
Missouri's lower wages are often paired with a lower cost of living, which can narrow the real-world gap compared to higher-paying states.
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