City Town Info

Columbia Employment

Employment and Industries in the Columbia, Missouri Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Columbia than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Columbia.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Columbia.
  • A list of any large public companies in Columbia.

Most Popular Jobs in Columbia, Missouri Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses2,90057,120$38,590 - 77,83024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education66038,430$27,980 - 54,09014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products64048,070$20,580 - 91,5708%51%
4Accountants and auditors61051,110$32,190 - 76,41018%79%
5Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education56038,290$27,870 - 53,0406%96%
6Computer programmers47059,180$40,170 - 81,8200%73%
7Teachers and instructors, all other47027,240$16,590 - 45,4209%54%
8Public relations specialists34042,950$28,190 - 61,52018%81%
9Network and computer systems administrators33049,340$30,640 - 67,02027%50%
10Insurance underwriters32059,230$39,120 - 82,4006%53%
11Medical and clinical laboratory technicians31029,430$17,160 - 47,19015%51%
12Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education28047,810$34,660 - 65,01011%95%
13Educational, vocational, and school counselors28040,880$27,130 - 63,02013%73%
14Medical and clinical laboratory technologists25052,020$39,370 - 65,38012%51%
15Civil engineers20066,130$47,450 - 81,40018%87%
16Lawyers19086,170$47,160 - 11%99%
17Managers, all other17084,950$35,730 - 141,8107%55%
18Computer systems analysts17064,300$39,100 - 94,13029%68%
19Chief executives170127,400$60,110 - 2%65%
20Management analysts17061,500$36,510 - 92,84022%78%
21Graphic designers16035,160$19,250 - 55,75010%55%
22Vocational education teachers, secondary school15045,850$28,560 - 66,2800%96%
23Pharmacists150100,310$85,360 - 126,42022%97%
24Medical and health services managers15081,470$40,380 - 133,31016%57%
25Social and human service assistants14027,920$20,000 - 38,95034%58%
26Training and development specialists14047,700$29,250 - 68,51018%56%
27Medical scientists, except epidemiologists14051,520$31,660 - 76,22020%99%
28Self-enrichment education teachers14028,650$17,230 - 52,13023%54%
29Architects, except landscape and naval13053,120$27,630 - 80,09018%88%
30Mental health and substance abuse social workers13024,430$16,560 - 39,85030%77%
31Librarians13047,020$30,850 - 65,5504%85%
32Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school13042,040$30,740 - 58,35020%87%
33Financial managers120107,460$67,550 - 165,08013%60%
34Sales managers12084,400$52,970 - 133,62010%69%
35Child, family, and school social workers12034,620$26,720 - 47,25019%77%
36Rehabilitation counselors11033,540$25,350 - 45,25023%73%
37Education administrators, elementary and secondary school11071,150$53,010 - 101,0308%78%
38Medical and public health social workers11041,170$29,090 - 58,33024%77%
39Education administrators, postsecondary110 $ - 14%78%
40Physical therapists11057,770$44,390 - 76,68027%89%
41Editors10041,930$22,600 - 70,1502%81%
42Occupational health and safety specialists10051,530$36,190 - 72,7508%72%
43Speech-language pathologists10055,530$35,260 - 77,94011%98%
44Tax preparers10019,050$14,560 - 26,3900%54%
45Computer and information systems managers10088,900$63,160 - 126,93016%73%
46Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation9046,970$29,260 - 69,3105%58%
47Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists9041,290$26,840 - 56,52018%56%
48Coaches and scouts9078,510$31,120 - 15%60%
49Public relations managers9090,440$60,380 - 124,77017%75%
50Biological technicians9033,630$19,020 - 55,93016%60%
51Special education teachers, middle school8041,020$27,690 - 58,56016%87%
52Occupational therapists8060,650$44,480 - 79,38023%90%
53Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other8049,740$29,980 - 70,55017%56%
54Network systems and data communications analysts8048,040$30,770 - 76,76053%57%
55Chemists8060,150$36,330 - 96,7909%93%
56Veterinarians8042,940$23,230 - 70,49035%100%
57Producers and directors8048,890$25,410 - 91,13011%75%
58Social and community service managers7040,550$29,250 - 54,50025%72%
59Special education teachers, secondary school7037,760$27,340 - 50,6909%87%
60Dentists, general70173,840$50,930 - 9%100%
61Advertising sales agents5040,430$20,470 - 71,94020%56%
62Cartographers and photogrammetrists5041,830$25,610 - 55,69020%82%
63Reporters and correspondents5030,250$17,900 - 38,4601%85%
64Biological scientists, all other5060,740$29,350 - 100,3204%95%
65Environmental scientists and specialists, including health50 $ - 25%93%
66Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products50 $ - 12%51%
67Natural sciences managers50109,390$81,410 - 137,68011%93%
68Physician assistants5076,500$58,520 - 100,98027%67%
69Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists5053,660$35,630 - 79,09016%99%
70Marketing managers40101,250$67,310 - 144,55014%69%
71Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4046,150$29,940 - 64,27018%56%
72Surveyors4048,330$35,420 - 65,23024%82%
73Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents40101,580$28,150 - 25%67%
74Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program4029,820$22,460 - 38,29024%78%
75Optometrists4063,650$34,900 - 82,23011%100%
76Database administrators4059,110$36,450 - 82,84029%72%
77Health educators4040,210$26,490 - 56,22026%58%
78Financial analysts4045,810$31,550 - 63,03034%87%
79Engineering managers40101,950$69,250 - 136,2907%84%
80Dietitians and nutritionists4050,450$33,510 - 70,0109%72%
81Market research analysts4041,440$27,920 - 63,77020%82%
82Computer specialists, all other4058,770$20,170 - 87,42015%68%
83Electrical engineers4069,500$55,120 - 99,3506%81%
84Personal financial advisors40102,890$29,350 - 41%81%
85Computer software engineers, applications4057,230$36,000 - 79,60045%85%
86Statisticians3061,240$38,790 - 95,6009%93%
87Writers and authors3045,710$35,020 - 61,11013%84%
88Instructional coordinators3042,620$29,910 - 58,90023%79%
89Recreational therapists3034,700$25,430 - 47,7204%77%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,13024,650$14,590 - 42,48012%25%
2Office clerks, general2,97025,790$16,570 - 36,65013%19%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,48016,840$14,250 - 20,87018%5%
4Waiters and waitresses2,34017,090$14,290 - 23,11011%14%
5Cashiers2,34018,250$14,440 - 24,050-2%10%
6Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,47021,590$16,010 - 28,8402%5%
7Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,20035,370$25,300 - 49,63015%18%
8Stock clerks and order fillers1,08019,640$14,380 - 29,440-7%8%
9Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,07022,690$16,050 - 29,93015%4%
10Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,01026,840$17,250 - 41,5801%18%
11Medical secretaries95028,010$21,350 - 37,40017%18%
12Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants91022,110$17,010 - 29,12018%7%
13Maids and housekeeping cleaners90017,600$14,540 - 20,90013%5%
14Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks89029,240$17,740 - 39,93013%16%
15Team assemblers88027,550$19,130 - 37,4400%5%
16Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer86034,610$18,600 - 49,30010%4%
17Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses86033,430$25,890 - 41,09014%7%
18Maintenance and repair workers, general79030,950$16,940 - 47,63010%6%
19Cooks, restaurant79019,870$15,830 - 25,15012%5%
20Teacher assistants77018,600$14,310 - 24,57010%18%
21Machinists75031,230$24,900 - 40,430-2%3%
22Carpenters74035,260$21,790 - 51,60010%6%
23General and operations managers72082,620$32,450 - 2%48%
24First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers65047,420$26,240 - 82,1506%29%
25Customer service representatives62029,060$17,110 - 41,73025%22%
26Truck drivers, light or delivery services62030,630$15,900 - 55,1608%4%
27First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers60038,830$22,020 - 56,9804%25%
28Construction laborers54033,490$15,900 - 56,24011%5%
29Tellers53020,600$17,090 - 24,96014%16%
30Computer support specialists52038,740$23,300 - 58,66013%43%
31Receptionists and information clerks52021,060$16,070 - 30,00017%13%
32Insurance claims and policy processing clerks51034,880$25,360 - 47,4700%22%
33Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators51049,550$33,300 - 74,5909%47%
34Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators49042,540$27,940 - 73,7508%3%
35Automotive service technicians and mechanics48033,530$16,320 - 50,92014%4%
36First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers47032,920$18,140 - 51,02011%14%
37Driver/sales workers45021,930$14,400 - 39,880-4%4%
38Home health aides45023,270$16,930 - 43,07049%7%
39Food preparation workers44018,960$14,820 - 24,25015%7%
40Production workers, all other42027,010$17,430 - 39,0802%5%
41Landscaping and groundskeeping workers42023,550$17,420 - 31,69018%6%
42Business operations specialists, all other40050,780$24,230 - 80,63021%49%
43Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists40022,960$14,480 - 37,93012%6%
44Preschool teachers, except special education38020,820$14,680 - 28,18026%43%
45Bill and account collectors38028,890$17,390 - 41,28023%13%
46Pharmacy technicians37023,360$16,510 - 33,40032%16%
47Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks36028,150$16,890 - 48,3704%6%
48Bartenders35018,570$14,290 - 28,73011%17%
49Counter and rental clerks35020,540$14,380 - 33,86023%16%
50Personal and home care aides34023,820$16,430 - 38,01051%10%
51Electricians34037,410$26,350 - 50,8207%7%
52Security guards34024,720$14,800 - 39,05017%13%
53Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop33016,580$14,310 - 20,16010%17%
54Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters33036,950$21,740 - 55,44011%4%
55First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers31049,740$37,400 - 64,0409%10%
56Dishwashers30016,310$14,310 - 19,58010%3%
57Radiologic technologists and technicians25049,730$36,120 - 66,99015%25%
58Dental assistants24030,690$23,340 - 38,99029%9%
59Medical records and health information technicians24031,280$20,750 - 47,08018%12%
60Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers24017,220$14,280 - 23,00012%6%
61Laundry and dry-cleaning workers23018,450$14,360 - 25,29010%5%
62Cooks, short order23016,780$14,310 - 20,7805%5%
63Cooks, institution and cafeteria22022,570$16,650 - 31,35011%5%
64Sales representatives, services, all other21052,030$24,320 - 80,16028%48%
65Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks21018,260$15,100 - 21,76017%14%
66Emergency medical technicians and paramedics21032,390$22,360 - 42,53019%14%
67Postal service mail carriers210 1%11%
68Business teachers, postsecondary21082,140$29,210 - 166,0300%0%
69Billing and posting clerks and machine operators20028,220$19,170 - 38,5704%15%
70Loan officers20050,270$27,530 - 84,95012%49%
71Respiratory therapists19048,820$35,370 - 63,71023%28%
72Cement masons and concrete finishers19049,260$27,940 - 83,22011%2%
73Insurance sales agents19051,580$25,980 - 79,55013%45%
74Library technicians19026,050$20,230 - 33,7009%27%
75Child care workers19022,400$16,590 - 28,90018%15%
76Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators180 -7%12%
77Industrial truck and tractor operators18026,190$19,410 - 33,590-1%2%
78All other information and record clerks18032,650$22,350 - 44,460-12%21%
79Cost estimators17051,270$28,620 - 79,25019%32%
80First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers17048,470$27,870 - 71,710-4%15%
81First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers16049,800$26,460 - 69,6607%13%
82Taxi drivers and chauffeurs16020,720$15,240 - 24,88013%15%
83Data entry keyers16023,790$15,240 - 32,730-4%18%
84Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers16052,350$34,310 - 67,6609%3%
85Education teachers, postsecondary15064,040$36,830 - 102,3900%0%
86Painters, construction and maintenance15033,260$24,030 - 42,22012%6%
87Nonfarm animal caretakers15019,690$14,400 - 25,55018%16%
88Telecommunications line installers and repairers15032,200$20,830 - 45,4705%8%
89Payroll and timekeeping clerks14031,020$14,690 - 46,6203%18%
90Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary14064,650$42,090 - 90,9000%0%
91Psychology teachers, postsecondary14064,790$33,650 - 104,7500%0%
92Cleaners of vehicles and equipment14018,290$14,350 - 24,57014%3%
93Bus drivers, school140 9%4%
94Medical assistants13026,240$21,430 - 34,69035%10%
95Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists13036,930$22,880 - 49,90012%3%
96Loan interviewers and clerks13029,370$19,600 - 39,6100%24%
97Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary13058,870$38,480 - 81,7500%0%
98Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors13030,260$16,040 - 48,83027%47%
99Industrial machinery mechanics13042,370$25,190 - 52,0109%5%
100Family and general practitioners120145,670$67,910 - 0%0%
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Additional Details

Columbia CollegesColumbia Colleges
Columbia colleges and trade schools.
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Columbia hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Columbia MortgageColumbia Mortgage
Columbia property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Columbia Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Psychology teachers, postsecondary64,79014010.6
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary64,6501407.8
Education teachers, postsecondary64,0401506.6
Business teachers, postsecondary82,1402106.6
Insurance underwriters59,2303205.7
Vocational education teachers, secondary school45,8501503.9
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary58,8701303.9
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks34,8805103.8
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians29,4303103.7
Occupational health and safety specialists51,5301003.7
Medical secretaries28,0109503.7
Tax preparers19,0501003.6
Personal care and service workers, all other15,1101103.6
Machinists31,2307503.5
Respiratory therapists48,8201903.5
Production workers, all other27,0104203.4
Library technicians26,0501903.3
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators49,5505103.1
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists51,5201402.9
Cooks, short order16,7802302.8
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists52,0202502.7
Medical records and health information technicians31,2802402.6
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42,5404902.5
New accounts clerks25,5601102.5
Education administrators, postsecondary 1102.4
Public relations specialists42,9503402.3
Veterinary technologists and technicians26,4501002.3
Family and general practitioners145,6701202.3
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses33,4308602.2
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics32,3902102.2
Office machine operators, except computer25,2601002.2
Driver/sales workers21,9304502.2
Radiologic technologists and technicians49,7302502.1
Rehabilitation counselors33,5401102.1
Educational, vocational, and school counselors40,8802802.1
Nonfarm animal caretakers19,6901502.1
Pharmacy technicians23,3603702
Registered nurses57,1202,9002
Mental health and substance abuse social workers24,4301302
Architects, except landscape and naval53,1201301.9
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists22,9604001.9
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers18,4502301.9
Computer programmers59,1804701.9
Couriers and messengers22,3201001.8
Maids and housekeeping cleaners17,6009001.8
Office clerks, general25,7902,9701.8
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18,2602101.8
Teachers and instructors, all other27,2404701.7
Waiters and waitresses17,0902,3401.7
Preschool teachers, except special education20,8203801.7

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Columbia, Missouri Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Cement masons and concrete finishers49,2601.33190
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers52,3501.28160
Personal and home care aides23,8201.19340
Child care workers22,4001.16190
Financial managers107,4601.16120
Business teachers, postsecondary82,1401.12210
Home health aides23,2701.1450
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32,9201.09470
Construction laborers33,4901.08540
Education teachers, postsecondary64,0401.08150
Truck drivers, light or delivery services30,6301.06620
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks34,8801.05510
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers47,4201.05650
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary64,6501.04140
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics32,3901.03210
Managers, all other84,9501.03170
Insurance underwriters59,2301.02320
Office clerks, general25,7901.012,970
Retail salespersons24,6501.013,130
Team assemblers27,5501.01880
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers38,8301600
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors30,2601130
Sales representatives, services, all other52,0301210
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42,5400.99490
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary58,8700.99130
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners22,6900.991,070
Medical records and health information technicians31,2800.99240
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,2200.99240
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks28,1500.99360
All other information and record clerks32,6500.99180
Food preparation workers18,9600.99440
Cashiers18,2500.982,340
Social and human service assistants27,9200.98140
Security guards24,7200.98340
Customer service representatives29,0600.98620
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,8400.982,480
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists52,0200.98250
Radiologic technologists and technicians49,7300.97250
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers23,5500.97420
Painters, construction and maintenance33,2600.97150
Medical secretaries28,0100.97950
Medical and health services managers81,4700.96150
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs20,7200.96160
Bartenders18,5700.96350
Pharmacists100,3100.96150
Cooks, institution and cafeteria22,5700.96220
Nonfarm animal caretakers19,6900.95150
Industrial machinery mechanics42,3700.95130
Dental assistants30,6900.95240
Psychology teachers, postsecondary64,7900.95140

Highest Paying Jobs in Columbia, Missouri Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Dentists, general173,84070
Family and general practitioners145,670120
Chief executives127,400170
Natural sciences managers109,39050
Financial managers107,460120
Personal financial advisors102,89040
Engineering managers101,95040
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents101,58040
Marketing managers101,25040
Pharmacists100,310150
Industrial production managers94,36040
Public relations managers90,44090
Computer and information systems managers88,900100
Lawyers86,170190
Managers, all other84,950170
Sales managers84,400120
Administrative services managers82,89090
General and operations managers82,620720
Business teachers, postsecondary82,140210
Medical and health services managers81,470150
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers79,76040
Coaches and scouts78,51090
Physician assistants76,50050
Property, real estate, and community association managers71,85040
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school71,150110
Construction managers70,32080
Computer science teachers, postsecondary69,65050
Electrical engineers69,50040
History teachers, postsecondary67,17050
Civil engineers66,130200
Mechanical engineers65,950 
Psychology teachers, postsecondary64,790140
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary64,650140
Computer systems analysts64,300170
Education teachers, postsecondary64,040150
Optometrists63,65040
Dental hygienists62,14080
Management analysts61,500170
Statisticians61,24030
Biological scientists, all other60,74050
Occupational therapists60,65080
Chemists60,15080
Insurance underwriters59,230320
Computer programmers59,180470
Database administrators59,11040
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary58,870130
Computer specialists, all other58,77040
Physical therapists57,770110
Sheet metal workers57,510 
Computer software engineers, applications57,23040

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