Columbia engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Columbia, MO metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$97,637
Columbia
Top earners
$143,381
Higher end
vs national
-19% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
MO
Missouri
Engineers in the Columbia, MO metro earn an estimated $97,637, -19% vs national, with top earners near $143,381. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.
Engineering pay by role in Columbia
Estimated pay for each discipline in Columbia. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.
| Engineering role | Pay band (10th–90th) | Median | 90th pct | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager Architecture & Engineering | $136,220 | $173,910 | Verified | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $104,930 | $145,410 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $100,680 | $149,500 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $100,680 | $149,500 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $100,680 | $149,500 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $100,680 | $149,500 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $100,680 | $149,500 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $100,680 | $149,500 | Estimate | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $100,650 | $144,940 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $100,650 | $144,940 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $100,650 | $144,940 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $100,650 | $144,940 | Estimate | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $89,090 | $116,960 | Verified | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $81,600 | $131,420 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$136,220
90th
$173,910
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$104,930
90th
$145,410
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$100,680
90th
$149,500
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$100,680
90th
$149,500
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$100,680
90th
$149,500
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$100,680
90th
$149,500
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$100,680
90th
$149,500
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$100,680
90th
$149,500
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$100,650
90th
$144,940
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$100,650
90th
$144,940
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$100,650
90th
$144,940
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$100,650
90th
$144,940
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$89,090
90th
$116,960
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$81,600
90th
$131,420
View details
What affects engineering pay in Columbia
- ▹Local market. Columbia pay runs -19% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the Missouri statewide estimate.
- ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
- ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
- ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Columbia, raising or lowering local pay.
Other Missouri metros
Engineer salaries in Columbia — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Columbia?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Columbia?
How does engineering pay in Columbia compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 5 engineering occupations in Columbia, MO, weighted by local employment (890 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →