Registered Nurse Salary in St. Louis, MO
Registered Nurses in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $83,180 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,375 take-home, or $5,365 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$9,470
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,157
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,206
- Missouri income tax$2,972
- Take-home pay$64,375
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Registered Nurse pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,440 | $30.50 | $51,110 | $4,259 |
| 25th percentile | $77,410 | $37.22 | $60,587 | $5,049 |
| Median (50th) | $83,180 | $39.99 | $64,375 | $5,365 |
| 75th percentile | $100,230 | $48.19 | $75,568 | $6,297 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,460 | $50.22 | $78,345 | $6,529 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $83,180 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $64,375 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,700 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
St. Louis, MO has 1.2× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
St. Louis, MO ranks #317 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 317 | St. Louis, MO | $83,180 | $64,375 | $67,700 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- Jefferson City, MO — $85,010
- Cape Girardeau, MO — $82,640
- Columbia, MO — $84,330
- St. Joseph, MO — $77,240
- Springfield, MO — $79,370
- Kansas City, MO — $83,040
- Joplin, MO — $74,930
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in St. Louis, MO?
The median registered nurse salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $83,180 a year, or about $39.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,410 and $100,230.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $83,180 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $64,375 a year ($5,365 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,972 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,700 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #317 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $232,300
- Dentists, General — $210,430
- Pharmacist — $138,530
- Physician Assistant — $136,120
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,580
- Veterinarian — $122,460
- Physical Therapist — $100,600
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $98,990
- Dental Hygienist — $97,650
- Occupational Therapist — $95,770
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $86,480