Part of the Travel Nurse Tax Hub — browse every related guide in one place.
Last updated: July 2026 | Reading time: 6 min
Missouri is a major travel nursing market, with large hospital systems in St. Louis (Barnes-Jewish, SSM Health, Mercy) and Kansas City (Saint Luke's, University of Kansas Health System — though UKHS is technically Kansas). Both cities have their own local earnings taxes on top of Missouri state income tax — a detail many travel nurses miss until they get an unexpected tax bill.
Missouri uses a graduated income tax rate for 2026. The state has been reducing its top rate gradually toward a flat tax:
| Missouri Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $1,121 | 1.5% |
| $1,122 – $2,242 | 2.0% |
| $2,243 – $3,363 | 2.5% |
| $3,364 – $4,484 | 3.0% |
| $4,485 – $5,605 | 3.5% |
| $5,606 – $6,726 | 4.0% |
| $6,727 – $7,847 | 4.5% |
| $7,848+ | 4.95% |
For travel nurses earning $45,000–$70,000 in taxable hourly wages during a Missouri assignment, the effective state rate typically comes in at 4.5%–4.8%. Your tax-free stipends (housing, meals) are not subject to Missouri income tax.
If your assignment is within Kansas City, Missouri city limits (not Overland Park, Lenexa, or other KC suburbs in Kansas), you owe an additional 1% earnings tax on wages earned while working in the city. This is separate from state income tax and applies to everyone who earns wages in KC — residents and non-residents alike.
Major KC hospitals where this applies: Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, University Health (Truman Medical Centers), Children's Mercy Hospital, Saint Luke's East (Lee's Summit — note: Lee's Summit is NOT in KC proper, so 1% may not apply — verify address).
St. Louis City (which is its own county-equivalent entity, separate from St. Louis County) imposes a 1% earnings tax on wages earned within city limits. This applies if your assignment is at hospitals in the city proper: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center (which is technically in Creve Coeur, St. Louis County — no city tax), St. Louis Children's Hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.
Again: St. Louis County ≠ St. Louis City. The city earnings tax only applies within city limits. Hospitals in suburban St. Louis County locations (Chesterfield, Clayton, Creve Coeur, Webster Groves) are NOT subject to the St. Louis city earnings tax.
Missouri does not have any reciprocity agreements with other states. If you live in Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, or any other state and work a Missouri assignment, you owe Missouri income tax on those wages — and you'll file a Missouri nonresident return (Form MO-1040) at tax time. You'll also get a credit from your home state for taxes paid to Missouri (to prevent double taxation).
Non-residents with Missouri wages must file Form MO-1040 (check the nonresident box). Missouri's filing threshold for non-residents is $1,200 for 2026 — nearly every travel assignment will exceed this.
Key deductions on Missouri returns that travel nurses may use:
For a travel nurse earning $50/hr on a 13-week Missouri assignment (full-time): approximately $33,800 in taxable hourly wages. Missouri state tax at effective 4.8% = $1,622. KC earnings tax (if applicable) = $338. Total Missouri-specific tax = ~$1,960. Home state gets credit, so true additional burden depends on rate differential between Missouri and your home state.
Missouri is moderately tax-friendly relative to California, New York, or Oregon. For travel nurses from no-income-tax states (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada), Missouri assignments add the full state tax burden — factor this into your contract comparison math.
See also: Travel Nurse Tax Guide 2026 · Illinois Travel Nurse Taxes · Tennessee Travel Nurse Taxes
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