Salary & Cost of Living in St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, MO: $48,574 median salary, cost of living index 90.4, $12.30/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$48,574
$23/hr
Cost of Living
90.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.30
per hour
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
St. Joseph, MO Overview
Population
72,473
Median Salary
$48,574
Average Salary
$54,403
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$190,000
Median Rent
$796/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
4.225%
St. Joseph is located in Missouri with a population of 72,473. The median household salary is $48,574 per year ($23/hour), which is $10,810 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
St. Joseph Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in St. Joseph, MO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $48,574 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 | $30,116 | $14.48/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $48,574 | $23.35/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $68,975 | $33.16/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $86,462 | $41.56/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.
St. Joseph Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in St. Joseph, MO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$37,969
$3,164.06/month · $1,460.33/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.8%
Gross Pay
$48,574
Federal Tax
-$3,790
State Tax
-$2,404
Local Tax
-$695
FICA
-$3,716
Net Pay
$37,969
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,047.83 | $48,574.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$315.87 | -$3,790.38 |
| Missouri State Tax (4.95%) | -$200.37 | -$2,404.41 |
| Local Tax (1.43%) | -$57.88 | -$694.61 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$250.97 | -$3,011.59 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$58.69 | -$704.32 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,164.06 | $37,968.69 |
Salary Comparison: St. Joseph vs Other Cities
See how St. Joseph's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph, MO | $48,574 | 90.4 | $53,732 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Round Lake Beach, IL | $48,583 | 90.2 | $53,861 |
| Fort Pierce, FL | $48,614 | 101.9 | $47,708 |
| Winter Garden, FL | $48,624 | 105.2 | $46,221 |
| Cedar Falls, IA | $48,520 | 88 | $55,136 |
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 St. Joseph
St. Joseph's cost of living index is 90.4 (national average = 100). Living in St. Joseph is 9.599999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$190,000
Median Monthly Rent
$796
Annual Rent Cost
$9,552
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $37,969 annual take-home pay in St. Joseph has the purchasing power of approximately $42,001 in an average-cost US area. Your $48,574 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in St. Joseph
St. Joseph's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $48,574.
Salary Tips for St. Joseph Workers
- Research top industries. St. Joseph's top industries include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $48,574 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.
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in St. Joseph, MO?
The median salary in St. Joseph, MO is $48,574 per year, or $23 per hour. The average salary is $54,403. This is $10,810 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in St. Joseph, MO?
St. Joseph's cost of living index is 90.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 9.599999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $190,000 and the median monthly rent is $796.
What are the best industries in St. Joseph?
The top industries in St. Joseph, MO include Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $48,574.
How does St. Joseph's salary compare to other cities?
St. Joseph's median salary of $48,574 is 18.2% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 90.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $53,732.
What is the minimum wage in St. Joseph, MO?
The minimum wage in St. Joseph, 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.