Missouri has several large family-owned companies, including major private businesses in St. Louis and Kansas City in car rental, greeting cards, beverages and engineering.
The family office landscape in Missouri
Family offices in Missouri are concentrated in and around:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
Where family office candidates come from in Missouri
St. Louis and Kansas City each have strong corporate finance, banking and CPA communities, and Washington University in St. Louis adds graduates.
Across the state, accountants and auditors earn an average of $83,180, 12% below the US average of $94,750 and #39 of 51. Financial managers average $163,820, 12% below the US average of $186,910 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Family offices usually pay above these averages to win experienced people.
Family office salaries in Missouri
| Role | Base salary in MO | Typical bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Family Office Controller | $165K–$225K | 15–25% |
| Family Office Accountant | $90K–$135K | 5–15% |
| Family Office Tax Manager | $140K–$195K | 10–20% |
| Family Office CFO | $280K–$445K | 25–50% |
| Family Office Chief of Staff | $140K–$230K | 15–30% |
| Family Office Operations Manager | $120K–$185K | 10–20% |
| Family Office Executive Assistant | $85K–$140K | 10–20% |
| Family Office Payroll Manager | $100K–$140K | 5–15% |
Our estimates for a single family office managing $250M–$1B, adjusted for Missouri using BLS pay levels for accountants and financial managers (7% below the national midpoint). Try the salary calculator for other office sizes.
Taxes, trusts and the law in Missouri
Missouri has been lowering its income tax and has no estate tax.
How Missouri compares with nearby states
| State | Accountant avg. (BLS) | Financial manager avg. (BLS) | Family office controller (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $83,180 | $163,820 | $165K–$225K |
| Iowa | $83,640 | $149,730 | $160K–$220K |
| Kansas | $86,130 | $171,510 | $165K–$230K |
| Minnesota | $94,060 | $176,560 | $170K–$235K |
| Nebraska | $77,660 | $155,410 | $160K–$215K |
| North Dakota | $80,090 | $153,130 | $160K–$215K |
| South Dakota | $85,030 | $172,430 | $165K–$230K |
What this means for hiring in Missouri
Accountant pay in Missouri ranks #39 of 51, below the national average. That makes a well-paid family office role attractive locally, and candidates relocating from higher-cost states will sometimes trade a little base salary for quality of life. Financial managers in Missouri rank much higher (#25) than accountants, so budget more for a controller or CFO than staff-level pay would suggest. State taxes in Missouri are moderate, so pay conversations usually center on base salary and bonus rather than tax. With a smaller local finance community, the strongest candidates for Missouri often live elsewhere. Plan on a recruiter-led search, and budget for relocation on senior roles.
Family office questions for Missouri
Is St. Louis or Kansas City better for family office hiring?
Both have deep accounting talent. St. Louis has more long-established family enterprises; Kansas City has a strong financial services and engineering base.
How much do family office jobs pay in Missouri?
We estimate a family office controller in Missouri earns about $165K–$225K base and an accountant about $90K–$135K. For context, accountants and auditors in Missouri earn an average of $83,180 across all employers, 12% below the US average (BLS, May 2025).
Where are family offices in Missouri?
Mostly around St. Louis, Kansas City.
Does Missouri have a state income tax on wages?
Yes. Missouri has been lowering its income tax and has no estate tax.