Recruiter salary and cost of hiring in Missouri
The median recruiter in Missouri earned $66,990 a year in May 2025[1], 11.8% below the US median of $75,940. That puts Missouri at #37 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 13-1071. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $44,730 | $66,990 | $110,660 | |
| United States | $47,180 | $75,940 | $128,720 |
The middle half of recruiters in Missouri earns $51,710–$89,860; the top tenth earns $110,660 or more, 2.5 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 $95,700 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 recruiters 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 | $98,380 | 6,950 | |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $93,950 | 8,130 | |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,940 | 250 | |
| Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $86,540 | 640 | |
| Columbia, MO | $81,480 | 640 | |
| Springfield, MO | $78,760 | 1,270 | |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,430 | 530 | |
| North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $75,860 | 310 | |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $78,090 | 390 | |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $76,730 | 230 | |
| Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $75,000 | 590 | |
| Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $74,360 | 280 |
Kansas City, MO-KS pays the most ($75,190) and Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area the least ($56,140): $19,050 a year apart for the same job.
What a recruiter does
A recruiter finds and attracts candidates, screens them, manages the interview process and closes offers for the hiring managers.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | +0.9% | |
| Tennessee | +0.6% | |
| Missouri | +0.0% | |
| Wyoming | -0.0% | |
| West Virginia | -0.2% |
Questions
How much does a recruiter earn in Missouri?
The median was $66,990 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $51,710 to $89,860.
What does it cost to employ a recruiter in Missouri?
About $95,700 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 recruiters earn the most?
Kansas City, MO-KS, with a median of $75,190 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-1071: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131071.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.