How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in Columbia, MO in 2026?
Typical pay for Rad Techs in Columbia, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Missouri.
BLS OES May 2025 · Columbia metro area
A typical Rad Tech in Columbia, Missouri earns $33.26 per hour, or $69,170 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $5,764 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $55,510, and the top 10% of earners make over $91,790.
That pay is 5% below the Missouri figure of $73,080 and 14% below the national figure of $80,110. Columbia ranks 6th of 8 metro areas in Missouri for Rad Tech pay. About 230 Rad Techs work in the Columbia area.
Rad Tech pay in Columbia at a glance
- Typical pay is $33.26 an hour, or $69,170 a year.
- That is 5% below the Missouri figure, ranking 6th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $55,510; the top 10% make over $91,790.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Rad Tech make in Columbia?
Pay in Columbia runs from entry-level positions at around $26.69 an hour to more than $44.13 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Missouri and national figures.
Rad Tech pay by career stage in Columbia
| Career stage | Columbia | Missouri | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $55,510$26.69 an hour | $50,810$24.43 an hour | $55,980$26.91 an hour |
| First years | $60,910$29.28 an hour | $63,090$30.33 an hour | $64,810$31.16 an hour |
| Typical Rad Tech | $69,170$33.26 an hour | $73,080$35.14 an hour | $80,110$38.52 an hour |
| Experienced | $84,690$40.71 an hour | $80,770$38.83 an hour | $98,750$47.47 an hour |
| Top 10% | $91,790$44.13 an hour | $97,150$46.71 an hour | $118,660$57.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Columbia area as BLS defines it
Rad Tech pay growth in Columbia
Typical (median) annual wage for Rad Techs in the Columbia area · BLS OES May estimates, 2019 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2019, typical Rad Tech pay in Columbia was $52,940 a year. By 2025 it had reached $69,170.
How Columbia compares with other Missouri cities
Kansas City pays Rad Techs the most in Missouri at $78,340 a year, $9,170 more than Columbia. The lowest-paying area in the state is Springfield at $63,810.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Columbia | Rad Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $78,340 | $37.67 | +13% | 1,860 |
| 2 | St. Louis | $76,390 | $36.73 | +10% | 2,190 |
| 3 | St. Joseph | $73,080 | $35.14 | +6% | 130 |
| 4 | Jefferson City | $72,740 | $34.97 | +5% | 100 |
| 5 | Joplin | $71,970 | $34.60 | +4% | 230 |
| 6 | Columbia | $69,170 | $33.26 | this city | 230 |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $65,220 | $31.36 | -6% | 100 |
| 8 | Springfield | $63,810 | $30.68 | -8% | 540 |
Every metro area in Missouri with Rad Tech wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Missouri typical pay $73,080
Is Columbia a good place to work as a Rad Tech?
Rad Techs in Columbia earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $69,170 a year, 14% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Columbia area, about 2.1 are Rad Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.5. That makes the local economy more reliant on Rad Techs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Rad Tech make in Columbia, MO?
- A typical Rad Tech in Columbia earns $69,170 a year, or $33.26 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $55,510 and the top 10% earn over $91,790.
- How much does a Rad Tech make an hour in Columbia?
- Typical hourly pay for Rad Techs in Columbia is $33.26. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $26.69, and the top 10% earn over $44.13 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Rad Tech in Columbia?
- Entry-level Rad Tech positions in Columbia typically offer around $26.69 an hour, or $55,510 a year.
- Is Rad Tech pay in Columbia higher than in the rest of Missouri?
- Columbia pay is 5% below the Missouri figure of $73,080 a year, ranking 6th of 8 metro areas in the state. Kansas City pays the most in Missouri at $78,340.