Missouri is located in the Midwestern United States. Its most populous cities are Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and Columbia. Top industries in the state are aerospace, food processing, transportation equipment, electrical equipment, and food processing. Many reputable and well respected educational institutions such as Washington University, which is ranked within the top 20 universities in the country, are located in Missouri. Technical and vocational schools are also located in the state. With many high quality educational institutions available and an economy which places an emphasis on technical trades and skilled labor, Missouri is an excellent state in which to pursue technical or vocational education.

Career Opportunities in Missouri

Fortune 500 employers that are headquartered in Missouri include Emerson Electric, Peabody Energy, Monsanto, Charter Communications, Ameren, and Graybar Electric. Salary outlooks are favorable for supervisors in technical industries. In the processing and manufacturing sector, first line supervisors of production and operating workers earn on average more than $51,000 yearly. Computer numerically controlled machine programmers earn more than $50,000 each year on average. In the aerospace sector, air traffic controllers have an outstanding salary outlook, earning an average of more than $102,000 each year (BLS). With numerous technical and vocational programs available and a range of technical sectors in which graduates may gain work experience, students who study in Missouri have many potential pathways that could lead to an exciting, successful career.

Whether planning to study and work in Missouri or any other state, pursuing advanced education is critical for any prospective employee who intends to enter the workforce. Completing a program that leads to advanced credentials gives workers a competitive edge over candidates who have a less extensive educational background, and workers who have advanced certificates and degrees tend to command higher salaries. Increased earning potential and greater probability of being hired make higher education a great investment.