Packers and Packagers, Hand Salary in Columbia, MO
The median pay for a packers and packagers, hand in Columbia, MO is $42,790/year ($20.57/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $44K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.44), which stretches that salary to about $47,842 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,160/month — about 39.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $43K get you in Columbia?
About packers and packagers, hands
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, MO
Entry-level packers and packagers, hands (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K.Top earners bring in $44K or more - a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Packers and Packagers, Hand pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $43K | +20% | 76,060 |
| Alaska | $40K | +13% | 710 |
| District of Columbia | $40K | +13% | N/A |
| Vermont | $39K | +9% | 750 |
| Indiana | $39K | +9% | 13,390 |
| Minnesota | $39K | +8% | 5,520 |
| Nevada | $39K | +8% | 4,760 |
| Nebraska | $38K | +7% | 3,670 |
| Maine | $38K | +6% | 1,480 |
| Arizona | $37K | +5% | 7,890 |
| Ohio | $37K | +4% | 19,660 |
| Missouri | $37K | +4% | 8,480 |
| Wisconsin | $37K | +3% | 13,560 |
| Kentucky | $37K | +3% | 5,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $37K | +3% | 24,490 |
Track packers and packagers, hand salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do packers and packagers, hands make in Columbia, MO?
The median is $42,790 a year - that works out to about $20.57 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,820, and experienced packers and packagers, hands can clear $43,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,932/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,160/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 39.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a packers and packagers, hand salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.44 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median packers and packagers, hand salary is worth about $47,842 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do packers and packagers, hands get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.