This page captures the Athletes and Sports Competitors labor market inside Missouri using BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state estimates from the May 2025 release. Median annual pay lands at $172,700, while the state employs roughly 670 workers in this SOC code (27-2021). Relative to the national median of $66,710, Missouri pays +159% above — a premium that usually signals concentrated industry demand, a higher state cost of living, or unionized sector pay.

Within Missouri, the full pay distribution is wider than the median alone suggests. Full percentile-band data is not published for this occupation-state combination, typically because the state's employment count falls below BLS reporting thresholds for detailed breakdowns. These bands reflect differences in years of experience, credential level, employer size, and whether the role sits in a public, private, or nonprofit setting — not just raw negotiating leverage.

Use this state-level view as one layer in your research stack, not the full picture. Drill into the specific metro area within Missouri where you plan to work — metros inside the same state can vary by 20-40% in median pay depending on whether a specialized employer cluster sits there (think tech in Austin versus Houston, or finance in Charlotte versus Asheville). Pair the wage here with state-specific cost of living (rent, taxes, energy, groceries) to see how far the paycheck actually goes. And remember that BLS wage data excludes health benefits, retirement contributions, overtime, stock compensation, and bonuses that can represent 20-40% of total compensation — especially for roles where Missouri-based employers compete for scarce talent.