SLP Salary

Emporia vs Manhattan: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Emporia, KS and Manhattan, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Emporia, KS
$85,408
$41.07/hr
Manhattan, KS
$80,124
$38.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEmporia, KSManhattan, KS
Median Salary$85,408$80,124
Hourly Rate$41.07$38.53
Entry Level (P10)$59,761$66,918
25th Percentile$70,298$67,375
75th Percentile$98,792$97,335
Top Earner (P90)$112,050$102,753
Total Employed580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Emporia ($85,408) and Manhattan ($80,124) speech-language pathologist salaries.EmporiaManhattanMedian Salary$85,408$80,124Entry Level (P10)$59,761$66,918Top Earner (P90)$112,050$102,753US Median $101,775

Verdict

Emporia, KS offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manhattan.

The salary gap between Emporia and Manhattan is $5,284 (6.59%). Emporia's median is -16.08% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Emporia spans $52,289,Manhattan spans $35,835. Emporia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Emporia
P10 (Entry)$59,761
P25$70,298
Median$85,408
P75$98,792
P90 (Top)$112,050
Manhattan
P10 (Entry)$66,918
P25$67,375
Median$80,124
P75$97,335
P90 (Top)$102,753

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Emporia ($93,958 effective) pays 5.73% more than Manhattan ($88,867 effective).

Emporia
Nominal: $85,408
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $93,958
Manhattan
Nominal: $80,124
CoL Index: 90.162
Adjusted: $88,867

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Emporia if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,408/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,050)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,958)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Manhattan if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Emporia grew 22.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.5% growth in Manhattan over the same period.

Emporia, KS

+22.3%

$67,135 (2024) → $82,131 (2025)

Manhattan, KS

+8.5%

$71,040 (2019) → $77,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Emporia or Manhattan?

Emporia has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $85,408/year, compared to Manhattan at $80,124/year — a difference of $5,284 (6.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Emporia and Manhattan?

Emporia speech-language pathologists earn $41.07/hr while Manhattan hygienists earn $38.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Emporia to Manhattan as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Emporia and Manhattan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Emporia = $93,958, Manhattan = $88,867), job availability (5 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Emporia vs Manhattan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $59,761 in Emporia and $66,918 in Manhattan. The Manhattan area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov