What is the average RN salary in St. Louis?

The average RN salary in St. Louis is $78,938. This figure is $14,662 less than the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600 (a -15.7% gap). St. Louis’s adjusted salary metric for purchasing power is listed as $88,298, reflecting lower local costs when compared to the national median.

How many hospitals are in St. Louis?

There are 19 hospitals in St. Louis. Top facilities include Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis University Hospital as prominent acute-care and teaching centers; Mercy Hospital St. Louis is another large system hospital supporting specialty services in the region.

What is the cost of living in St. Louis?

The cost of living index in St. Louis is 89.4 (U.S. average = 100). Housing and everyday expenses are below the national average, contributing to the pre-computed adjusted salary of $88,298 and making housing costs more affordable relative to higher-index metros.

Is St. Louis a good place for nurses?

St. Louis can be a practical choice for nurses seeking lower living costs; the RN average salary is $78,938 and the cost of living index is 89.4. With 19 hospitals and multiple teaching centers, clinical opportunities exist, though pay is 15.7% below the U.S. median.

What is the real purchasing power for nurses in St. Louis?

The real purchasing power for nurses in St. Louis is represented by the adjusted salary of $88,298 after accounting for the cost of living index of 89.4. Compared to the U.S. median RN salary of $93,600, this adjusted figure shows local earnings stretch farther against St. Louis housing and expenses.

Can nurses use a multistate compact license to work in St. Louis?

Yes — Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so nurses with a multistate compact license have privileges to practice in St. Louis without obtaining a separate Missouri license. Holders must maintain their primary state of residence in an NLC state and follow Missouri practice laws while working.

What nursing specialties are most in demand in St. Louis?

ICU, emergency department (ED), med-surg, labor and delivery (L&D), and behavioral health nursing are most in demand in St. Louis. The city’s hospital mix—19 facilities including acute-care and teaching hospitals—drives need for critical care, perioperative, and psychiatric/behavioral health staffing.

Nursing in St. Louis, MO

Practical guide to nursing in St. Louis, MO — salaries, cost of living, hospitals, climate, and what nurses actually earn after local taxes and rent.