St. Louis vs Springfield: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)
Compare registered nurse salaries between St. Louis, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $87,597▲ | $83,585 |
| Hourly Rate | $42.11▲ | $40.19 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,809 | $67,988▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $81,520▲ | $78,361 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,552▲ | $95,105 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $110,007▲ | $106,542 |
| Total Employed | 35,200▲ | 6,820 |
Verdict
St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.
The salary gap between St. Louis and Springfield is $4,012 (4.80%). St. Louis's median is -14.73% compared to the US national median of $102,730.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $43,198,Springfield spans $38,554. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($94,356 effective) pays 2.42% more than St. Louis ($92,122 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose St. Louis if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($87,597/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($110,007)
- ✓Larger job market (35,200 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle
Choose Springfield if…
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,356)
- ✓You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in St. Louis grew 29.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 40.3% growth in Springfield over the same period.
St. Louis, MO
$64,150 (2019) → $83,180 (2025)
Springfield, MO
$56,560 (2019) → $79,370 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
St. Louis, MO
Springfield, MO
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays registered nurses more: St. Louis or Springfield?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov