Salary & Cost of Living in Jefferson City, MO
Jefferson City, MO: $42,479 median salary, cost of living index 86.2, $12.30/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$42,479
$20/hr
Cost of Living
86.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.30
per hour
Unemployment
2.8%
rate
Jefferson City, MO Overview
Population
42,838
Median Salary
$42,479
Average Salary
$47,576
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$201,000
Median Rent
$825/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
4.225%
Jefferson City is located in Missouri with a population of 42,838. The median household salary is $42,479 per year ($20/hour), which is $16,905 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
Jefferson City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Jefferson City, MO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $42,479 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $26,337 | $12.66/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $42,479 | $20.42/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $60,320 | $29.00/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $75,613 | $36.35/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Jefferson City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Jefferson City, MO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$33,949
$2,829.06/month · $1,305.72/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.1%
Gross Pay
$42,479
Federal Tax
-$3,059
State Tax
-$2,103
Local Tax
-$119
FICA
-$3,250
Net Pay
$33,949
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,539.92 | $42,479.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$254.92 | -$3,058.98 |
| Missouri State Tax (4.95%) | -$175.23 | -$2,102.71 |
| Local Tax (0.28%) | -$9.91 | -$118.94 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$219.47 | -$2,633.70 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$51.33 | -$615.95 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,829.06 | $33,948.72 |
Salary Comparison: Jefferson City vs Other Cities
See how Jefferson City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $42,479 | 86.2 | $49,280 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Gallatin, TN | $42,481 | 84.1 | $50,512 |
| Bowling Green, OH | $42,462 | 87.7 | $48,417 |
| Riviera Beach, FL | $42,556 | 91.3 | $46,611 |
| Lake Worth Beach, FL | $42,559 | 99.5 | $42,773 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Jefferson City
Jefferson City's cost of living index is 86.2 (national average = 100). Living in Jefferson City is 13.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$201,000
Median Monthly Rent
$825
Annual Rent Cost
$9,900
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $33,949 annual take-home pay in Jefferson City has the purchasing power of approximately $39,384 in an average-cost US area. Your $42,479 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Jefferson City
Jefferson City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $42,479.
Salary Tips for Jefferson City Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Jefferson City has a cost of living 13.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $42,479 here has the purchasing power of about $49,280 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Jefferson City's top industries include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $42,479 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Jefferson City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Jefferson City-MO metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Jefferson City indexed at 86.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Jefferson City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $42,479 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Missouri state income tax (4.95%), plus Jefferson City local tax of 0.28%, sales tax (4.225%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Jefferson City: 2.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Missouri.
- Housing context: median home price $201,000, median rent $825/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Jefferson City, MO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Jefferson City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Jefferson City QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Missouri — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Jefferson City's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Missouri labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Jefferson City, MO?
The median salary in Jefferson City, MO is $42,479 per year, or $20 per hour. The average salary is $47,576. This is $16,905 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Jefferson City, MO?
Jefferson City's cost of living index is 86.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 13.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $201,000 and the median monthly rent is $825.
What are the best industries in Jefferson City?
The top industries in Jefferson City, MO include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 2.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $42,479.
How does Jefferson City's salary compare to other cities?
Jefferson City's median salary of $42,479 is 28.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 86.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $49,280.
What is the minimum wage in Jefferson City, MO?
The minimum wage in Jefferson City, MO is $12.30 per hour. This equals approximately $25,584 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $5.05 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.