How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Columbia, MO in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics in Columbia, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Missouri.
BLS OES May 2024 · Columbia
A typical Paramedic in Columbia, Missouri earns $29.68 per hour, or $61,720 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $5,143 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $44,520, and the top 10% of earners make over $77,570.
That pay is 4% above the Missouri figure of $59,180 and 2% above the national figure of $60,600. About 110 Paramedics work in Columbia.
Paramedic pay in Columbia at a glance
- Typical pay is $29.68 an hour, or $61,720 a year.
- That is 4% above the Missouri figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $44,520; the top 10% make over $77,570.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does a Paramedic make in Columbia?
Pay in Columbia runs from entry-level positions at around $21.41 an hour to more than $37.29 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Missouri and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Columbia
| Career stage | Columbia | Missouri | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $44,520$21.41 an hour | $45,480$21.86 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $48,640$23.39 an hour | $49,230$23.67 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $61,720$29.68 an hour | $59,180$28.45 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $61,720$29.68 an hour | $73,780$35.47 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $77,570$37.29 an hour | $81,300$39.09 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2024 (the latest vintage BLS published for this area; state and national columns are May 2025) · city figures cover Columbia as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Columbia
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in Columbia · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2024 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Columbia was $47,610 a year. By 2024 it had reached $61,720.
How Columbia compares with other Missouri cities
St. Louis pays Paramedics the most in Missouri at $63,050 a year, $1,330 more than Columbia. The lowest-paying area in the state is Jefferson City at $48,080.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Columbia | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $63,050 | $30.31 | +2% | 1,890 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $59,520 | $28.62 | -4% | 750 |
| 3 | Springfield | $59,230 | $28.47 | -4% | 190 |
| 4 | Cape Girardeau | $51,650 | $24.83 | -16% | 30 |
| 5 | Joplin | $49,480 | $23.79 | -20% | 100 |
| 6 | Jefferson City | $48,080 | $23.11 | -22% | 80 |
Every metro area in Missouri with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Missouri typical pay $59,180
Is Columbia a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedic pay in Columbia sits close to the national figure: $61,720 a year, 2% above the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in Columbia, MO?
- A typical Paramedic in Columbia earns $61,720 a year, or $29.68 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $44,520 and the top 10% earn over $77,570.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Columbia?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Columbia is $29.68. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $21.41, and the top 10% earn over $37.29 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Columbia?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Columbia typically offer around $21.41 an hour, or $44,520 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Columbia higher than in the rest of Missouri?
- Columbia pay is 4% above the Missouri figure of $59,180 a year. St. Louis pays the most in Missouri at $63,050.