Bookkeeper salary and cost of hiring in Missouri
The median bookkeeper in Missouri earned $47,990 a year in May 2025[1], 5.3% below the US median of $50,670. That puts Missouri at #36 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3031. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $34,570 | $47,990 | $68,180 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in Missouri earns $40,220–$58,140; the top tenth earns $68,180 or more, 2.0 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Missouri median that makes about $68,557 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Missouri
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,110 | 8,780 | |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $60,600 | 9,950 | |
| Columbia, MO | $58,010 | 880 | |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $55,360 | 310 | |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $55,000 | 310 | |
| Springfield, MO | $51,400 | 1,440 | |
| Jefferson City, MO | $50,510 | 590 | |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $49,700 | 530 | |
| Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $49,480 | 830 | |
| North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $48,370 | 780 | |
| Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $47,840 | 1,320 | |
| Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $48,080 | 480 |
Kansas City, MO-KS pays the most ($50,940) and Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area the least ($41,150): $9,790 a year apart for the same job.
What a bookkeeper does
A bookkeeper records the company's transactions, reconciles bank accounts, keeps receivables and payables in order and prepares the books for the accountant.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | +0.4% | |
| New Mexico | +0.2% | |
| Missouri | +0.0% | |
| South Carolina | -0.1% | |
| North Carolina | -0.1% |
Questions
How much does a bookkeeper earn in Missouri?
The median was $47,990 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $40,220 to $58,140.
What does it cost to employ a bookkeeper in Missouri?
About $68,557 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Missouri do bookkeepers earn the most?
Kansas City, MO-KS, with a median of $50,940 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.