Registered Nurse Salary in University City, MO: $86,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in University City, MO earns a median $86,006/year (≈ $41.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in University City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $95,989 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in University City, Missouri, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $86,006 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,730 for the same year. The salary range for registered nurses in this area varies significantly, from $61,668 at the 10th percentile to $113,915 at the 90th percentile. These figures represent estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, which reflect the local healthcare market's structure, particularly around the differences in pay between staff nurses and traveling nurses. As long-term healthcare needs persist, the demand for registered nurses is likely to continue growing and present ample opportunities within University City's employment landscape.
About the University City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,668 | $29.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,590 | $33.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,006 | $41.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,756 | $47.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,915 | $54.77 |
Median Salary Position
16.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University City
In University City, MO, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,247 (2026 est.). At $86,006, the local median is 16.28% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University City Registered Nurse Pay Compares
University City median: $86,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $87,227 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -16.28% less |
Registered Nurses in University City, MO earn a median of $86,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.28% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $87,227.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University City has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $86,006 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,989 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,367
2025 BLS Actual
$81,669
2026 Current Est.
$86,006
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,367 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,066 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,967 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,998 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,367 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,669 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,573 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University City metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $61,367 (2019) to $81,669 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,206 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,668 – $70,590 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,590 – $86,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,006 – $97,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,756 – $113,915 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in University City
The job market for registered nurses in University City is relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 89.6, which is below the national average, this might influence the effective purchasing power of nursing salaries. Notably, healthcare institutions that typically offer higher pay include hospital systems, particularly in critical care settings such as the ICU and emergency departments. Spread between lower and higher salaries in the area often results from factors like shift differentials—night shifts can lead to an additional $3 to $7 per hour—along with incentives for specialized certifications and the financial implications of hospital magnet status. To maximize earnings, local nurses should focus on obtaining these certifications and consider scheduling their shifts strategically around peak pay periods.
More salary data for University City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,669 for registered nursesin the University City metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for University City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov