Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Missouri 2024 (Inc Salaries)

Famous for having many random oversized objects, Missouri is home to the tallest man-made national monument in the U.S. and the world's largest chess piece. 

However, those are not the only things that are big in this city. The state also has a high worker shortage index, with only 53 available workers for every 100 job postings (0.53).

The abundance of opportunities makes it one of the best states for anyone looking to build or advance their careers. A diverse business environment, a growing tech sector, and plenty of multinational companies can also provide job opportunities with high earning potential.

If you’re wondering what job title to look for in the Show Me state, see the highest-paying jobs in Missouri for 2024 below.

 Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Missouri 2024 (Inc Salaries)

1. Radiologist

Radiologists use medical imaging techniques and equipment to provide diagnostic reports to other medical professionals.

Their expertise in interpreting X-rays, MRI, and C.T. scans plays a significant role in diagnosing illnesses and formulating treatment plans for their patients.

They also assist other doctors in performing image-guided procedures, such as biopsies, ablation, embolization, and many more.

Job Requirements

The first few steps to becoming a radiologist are the same as the road to becoming a general physician.

These include a four-year undergraduate degree in health sciences, four-year medical school, and a one-year internship.

It also includes securing a medical license and passing examinations like the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

After that, you must complete a Radiology Residency Program, which usually takes 4 to 5 years, and earn board certification from the American Board of Radiology (ABR).

Depending on your preference, you may also pursue a fellowship program in your chosen radiology sub-specialty.

Employment Outlook

According to BLS, the employment of radiologists will increase by 4% until 2032.

This projected growth rate equates to 1,100 job openings in the next few years.

Estimated Salary

The average annual salary for a radiologist in the Missouri area is $418,000 and may include an estimated additional pay of $114,000. 

2. Chief Executive Officer

CEOs are the company's top bosses who guide and lead them towards success.

They are responsible for performing executive management roles, including making major business decisions, becoming the company’s public face, setting the company goals, and managing its resources.

Job Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or marketing will equip you with the business know-how you need to enter the industry.

On the other hand, earning an MBA and relevant work experience can help you land managerial roles—a must for this position.

After that, your chances of becoming a CEO will rely on other non-educational factors like an impressive personal brand, extensive business network and experience, and strong connections in the industry. 

Employment Outlook

There are currently 160 employed CEOs in the St. Joseph, Missouri-Kansas area, making it one of the metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of location quotients and jobs for this position.

The overall need for this role in the U.S. is projected to grow by 3%, so there will be 311,600 new job openings by 2032. 

Estimated Salary

CEOs in Missouri earn as much as $311,300 per year.

In addition, they receive an additional pay of $157,800 through profit sharing and cash bonuses. 

3. Dentist

Simply put, dentists are the doctors of our teeth, gums, and other parts of our mouth.

They are the go-to professionals for people in need of dental procedures like dentures, braces, implants, fillings, and crowns.

But more than that, they are also trained to prevent oral diseases, maintain the health and appearance of our teeth, diagnose potential problems, and educate patients about healthy dental care practices. 

Job Requirements

Becoming a dentist includes many years of education, training, and licensing.

Educational requirements include a bachelor's degree in sciences and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.

No additional training is needed for general dentists, but further education is required for other specializations, such as an M.D. degree for oral and maxillofacial surgeons and an orthodontist residency program.

In addition, you need to pass the National Board Dental Examination to obtain your dental license.

Employment Outlook

BLS projects that the need for this occupation will increase by 4%, equivalent to 6,800 new job opportunities until 2032. 

Estimated Salary

The average salary for dentists in MO is around $278,600 annually and may include extra cash bonuses of $85,900.

According to BLS, Missouri has 3 top paying metropolitan cities: Springfield, Columbia, and St. Joseph.

4. Orthopedist

Also known as orthopedic surgeons, orthopedists are medical experts in treating and diagnosing injuries and disorders affecting the joints, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

They are trained to perform surgical procedures such as joint replacement, soft tissue and fracture repair, arthroscopic surgery, sports medicine, and more.

Aside from surgical interventions, they can prescribe non-surgical treatments like medication, medical equipment, and therapy.

Job Requirements

You first need to become a medical doctor before becoming an orthopedist.

The process includes earning a pre-med degree, passing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), obtaining your medical degree, and securing your medical license by passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

After these, you must complete an Orthopedist Residency Program, which takes about 3 to 7 years.

Additionally, you also have to earn board certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

Employment Outlook

BLS projects that there will be about 300 job openings for orthopedists until 2032, equivalent to a 2% employment growth rate. 

Estimated Salary

Orthopedists make an estimated salary of $263,100 every year. Additionally, they may also receive 

5. Clinical Pathologist

Clinical pathologists are medical doctors specializing in diagnosing severe chronic diseases.

They are educated and trained at performing a biopsy, which analyzes tissues, fluids, and body organs collected from the patient to determine the presence and identify the type of disease. 

Job Requirements

The initial process of becoming a clinical pathologist is the same as all medical doctors—obtaining a science-related bachelor's degree, Medical Doctor (MD), or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree after medical school and passing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

The following steps include completing a Pathology Residency Program and earning your pathology certification from the American Board of Pathology (ABP).

Completing a fellowship program is optional but highly recommended. 

Employment Outlook

BLS categorizes this occupation under the physician sector, which is expected to increase by 3% in the next few years. 

Estimated Salary

In Missouri, Clinical Pathologists earn an average yearly salary of $244,900. They can also earn cash bonuses amounting to $43,200 per year. 

6. Corporate Counsel

Also known as company advisors, these are the types of lawyers companies hire to handle their legal matters.

This type of lawyer works closely with business executives to ensure all company policies and decisions comply with legal requirements and state laws.

They also provide advice and assistance in legal business procedures such as contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, employment policies, corporate governance, and many more.

Job Requirements

Earning a bachelor’s degree in business, political sciences, or finance is the first step to becoming a corporate lawyer.

Then, you must pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to enter law school.

After completing law school and earning your Juris Degree (J.D.), you need to pass the American Bar Association (ABA) examination to secure your license to practice law.

Earning years of work experience in a corporate environment is the most important step in entering the business sector. 

Employment Outlook

In the U.S., the demand for all types of lawyers is expected to grow by 8%.

With this faster-than-average growth rate, the legal industry will generate 62,400 new job openings by 2032.

Estimated Salary

The annual median wage for company lawyers is $221,900.

Depending on the company policy and pay structure, they may also receive an additional pay of $74,400. 

7. Chief Estimator

The primary responsibility of chief estimators is to oversee the estimating part of the pre-construction process. They lead the company’s team of estimators in preparing financial budgets and making detailed cost estimates of several types of construction projects within the company.

They are also in charge of reviewing supplier bids, mitigating risks, and identifying potential cost savings.

Job Requirements

Becoming a chief estimator involves three critical things—education, skills, and experience.

The most critical education requirement is a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or architecture.

While it’s not required, a master’s in business administration (MBA) degree is highly recommended as it can help you advance your career and progress to mid-management positions.

Additionally, you also need to obtain certifications in construction estimating, like the Certified Constructor Estimator (CCE) or Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) designations provided by the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE).

In addition, you need to earn years of relevant work experience to develop estimating and leadership skills.

Employment Outlook

The need for chief estimators will decline by 3% in the next few years.

Despite the negative growth rate, there will still be about 18,000 job openings for this position until 2032.

Estimated Salary

Chief estimators in Missouri receive an average salary of $169,500 yearly.

On top of that, they also have the chance to get annual cash bonuses amounting to $48,000.

8. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Just like registered nurses, APRNs deliver clinical care to patients. However, they have a higher level of education and more extensive specialized training, allowing them to perform more roles and responsibilities than a regular nurse.

Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on the type of APRN you’ll choose, and these include:

• Nurse Practitioners (NP) also diagnose illnesses, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications under the supervision of physicians.

• Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) provide prenatal and postnatal care, labor and delivery assistance, and gynecological services to women.

• Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) provide consultation and education to patients and leadership to other nurses in specialized nursing practice (oncology, critical care, mental health, and many more).

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) offers anesthesia-related care and pain interventions to patients undergoing surgery and other invasive procedures. 

Job Requirements

Regardless of what type of APRN you want to be, your journey will start with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).

Next, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain your nursing license.

After that, you must complete at least 1,750 clinical hours to qualify for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

Once you’ve achieved your advanced nursing degree, the next step is to obtain advanced nursing certification, and it may differ based on the type of APRN you want to be. Here’s a simple guide:

• American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists

• National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) for nurse anesthetists

• American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) for Nurse Midwives.

Employment Outlook

The employment of all types of APRNs is projected to grow by 38%, equivalent to 29,200 annual job openings until 2032.

Estimated Salary

Here’s the salary data for the different types of APRNs in Kansas City:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: $214,900

• Certified Nurse Midwife: $124,900

• Nurse Practitioner: $139,700

• Clinical Nurse Specialist: $90,900

9. Truck Owner Operator

The job title refers to an occupation wherein you are both the owner and driver of a trucking business.

As an independent contractor, it’s your job to supervise all the aspects of the business—from making financial decisions, maintaining customer relations, handling business paperwork, and finding and booking loads.

On top of that, you'll also be in charge of the operations, including driving the truck, loading and unloading the cargo (which may consist of building materials, goods, and equipment), and inspecting and maintaining the vehicle. 

Job Requirements

You don't need a college diploma to get into this business. At least a high school diploma or GED will do.

However, a bachelor in business administration (BBA) or a master in business administration (MBA) degree will provide you the know-how and skills needed to operate the business smoothly.

Since you'll be operating the truck on your own, you also need to secure a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) with the proper endorsement for the type of truck you have.

You must also pass a physical examination test, secure the required business documents, and maintain a clean driving record to land a driving contract.   

Employment Outlook

The employment of truck drivers will have a growth rate of 4%, which is equivalent to 89,300 job openings in the next decade.

Estimated Salary

Truck owners and operators in the MO area earn as much as $112,600 per year and may also receive an additional pay of $10,900.

10.  App Development Specialist

App development specialists are software developers who focus on designing and coding various kinds of corporate applications.

They are responsible for analyzing the company's unique needs and formulating an app that would solve their problems.

Their other job duties include planning and executing app maintenance and testing, monitoring all development-related tasks, and creating user manuals and guides.

Job Requirements

While there's no specific primary requirement, earning an undergraduate degree in web development, computer science, or software engineering is a good start.

More than that, most employers are looking for practical, hands-on experience in software development and coding. You can join internship programs or coding boot camps to gain much-needed experience.

Employment Outlook

The BLS categorizes software developers as an industry that will generate up to 410,400 job openings or a growth rate of 26% until 2032.

Estimated Salary

The estimated pay for an app development specialist in Kansas City is $110,900, and this may include an additional salary of $32,100 in the form of cash bonuses or profit sharing.

• Below are the other high paying jobs in Missouri:

• Aircraft Technician: $91,400

• Financial Analyst: $85,700

• IT Analyst: $81,100

• Licensed Professional Counselor: $76,200

On the other hand, other high-paying occupations that don't require a college diploma are Part-time seasonal in-store shopper, Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Customer Service Representative, I.T. Support Specialist, Carpenter, Electrician, Claims Adjuster, Pipeline Welder, Independent Courier, and many more.

 Conclusion

Finding a job listing for these lucrative positions is easy, but getting hired is not as easy. After all, a competitive salary always comes with increased job competitiveness.

With that said, getting a business degree is an excellent way to stand out from the competition and make you more attractive to potential employers.

The good news is securing these advanced degrees is no longer as difficult as you think, and that’s all thanks to online BBA and MBA programs that have become quite popular due to their convenience and affordability.

When choosing programs to enroll in, it's essential to select a globally recognized university like Nexford. This way, you can build a lucrative career in Missouri and anywhere in the world.

FAQs

What is the highest-paying job in Missouri in 2024?

With an average annual salary of $418,000, radiologists will have the highest pay in Missouri in 2024.

Professionals in this sector can earn as little as $313,000 and as much as $585,000, making this one of the highest-paying jobs in the USA, too.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which Missouri jobs are projected to have the highest level of growth?

In 2024, nursing, specifically APRNs (38%) and software development (25%), will be Missouri's rapidly growing industry.

What is the best career path in Missouri in 2024?

With the job outlook and estimated salary in mind, technology and healthcare are the best industries to get into this year.

According to BLS, most occupations in these sectors provide a stable career and good earning potential.   

What skills or expertise is required for high-paying Missouri jobs?

If you want to earn a competitive salary, building relevant soft and hard skills is essential. 

Soft skills include good decision-making skills, problem-solving acumen, excellent organizational skills, interpersonal, professionalism, and the ability to prioritize and reprioritize.

On the other hand, you also need to have industry-specific technical expertise, advanced education, leadership, and management skills. 

To know if you have what it takes to build a lucrative career in your chosen industry, Download Our Free Report here.

What qualifications are required for high-paying Missouri jobs?

The minimum educational requirement for the best-paying occupations is a bachelor's degree. Getting an advanced degree like an MBA and earning years of experience can increase your chances of getting hired for these roles.

Why is gaining a BBA/MBA degree beneficial for earning a high-paying job in Missouri?

If you’ve noticed, most of the high paying jobs available in Missouri are at the managerial or leadership level. An online MBA can help you develop all the future-ready skills needed for such jobs.

This program also allows you to expand and diversify your professional network, putting you in the best position to advance your career.