Science & Research Columbia, MO Pop. 126,254

Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia, Missouri

The median epidemiologist salary in Columbia, MO is $69,098 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 0.0% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$69,098
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-9,422
Cost of Living
88%

Epidemiologist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median epidemiologist salary of $69,098, which is $0 above the Missouri state average of $69,098. Compared to the national median of $78,520, 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 $69,098 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $78,520 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbia an attractive option for epidemiologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for epidemiologists in Columbia spans from $44,000 at the 10th percentile to $110,880 at the 90th percentile — a $66,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $45,760, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $105,600. With a population of 126,254, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $45,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $105,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$45,760
$-6,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,400
$-9,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$105,600
$-14,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MO

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $44,000
25th Percentile $54,560
Median (50th) $69,098
75th Percentile $88,880
90th Percentile $110,880

Epidemiologist Salary in Other Missouri Cities

Kansas City, MO
$72,238
Pop. 508,090
Saint Louis, MO
$70,668
Pop. 301,578
Independence, MO
$66,742
Pop. 123,011
Springfield, MO
$64,386
Pop. 169,176

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Columbia

Education

Most epidemiologist positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Missouri area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Columbia, MO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Columbia, MO? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Columbia, Missouri is $69,098 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $44,000 (10th percentile) to $110,880 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $69,098, a epidemiologist in Columbia earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Missouri state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Columbia's median epidemiologist salary of $69,098 is 0.0% above the Missouri state average of $69,098. 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 epidemiologist salary of $69,098 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Columbia? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Columbia require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.