Engineering Columbia, MO Pop. 126,254

Environmental Engineer Salary in Columbia, Missouri

The median environmental engineer salary in Columbia, MO is $85,202 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 0.0% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$85,202
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-11,618
Cost of Living
88%

Environmental Engineer Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median environmental engineer salary of $85,202, which is $0 above the Missouri state average of $85,202. Compared to the national median of $96,820, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbia's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $85,202 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,820 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbia an attractive option for environmental engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Columbia spans from $53,680 at the 10th percentile to $130,240 at the 90th percentile — a $76,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,320, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,960. With a population of 126,254, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $56,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,320
$-7,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,240
$-11,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,960
$-17,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MO

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $53,680
25th Percentile $66,880
Median (50th) $85,202
75th Percentile $107,360
90th Percentile $130,240

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Missouri Cities

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Columbia

Education

Most environmental engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Missouri area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Columbia, MO:

Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Columbia, MO? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Columbia, Missouri is $85,202 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $53,680 (10th percentile) to $130,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,202, a environmental engineer in Columbia earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Missouri state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median environmental engineer salary of $85,202 is 0.0% above the Missouri state average of $85,202. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MO? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a environmental engineer salary of $85,202 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.