Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lawrence, KS: $61,926 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Lawrence, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,926 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lawrence's local price level (BEA RPP 90.2 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,621 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($88,527) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting pay for new graduates in Lawrence, Kansas, as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is projected to begin at around $61,926 in 2026. This figure reflects the entry-level salary that many will encounter as they transition from their academic training to practical roles. While this starting amount is significantly lower than the city's median salary of $88,527, there remains a clear upward trajectory for early-career professionals. Over the course of the first three to five years, it’s realistic to expect salary growth from the entry-level range of $61,926 to approximately $67,115, eventually reaching the median. Given the competitive nature of healthcare and educational services in Lawrence, this city presents a reasonable market for new graduates, especially those entering fields with increasing demand for specialized services.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lawrence
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Lawrence, KS typically start between $61,926 and $67,115 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $46,296 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $88,527 — 13.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Kansas of $55,000 represents just 88.82% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($61,926/year) in Lawrence. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAA-accredited Master's in Speech-Language Pathology programs. Tuition varies widely between public in-state and private institutions; most programs also require a Clinical Fellowship Year for ASHA certification.
SLP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Lawrence
- 1Research the Lawrence market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $61,926 to $67,115, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the speech-language pathology field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lawrence, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Lawrence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lawrence's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Speech-Language Pathologist Compensation Range
The speech-language pathologist wage spread in Lawrence is $46,296 ( 74.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,926, experienced hygienists can earn up to $108,222.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,950
2025 BLS Actual
$59,550
2026 Current Est.
$61,926
2019–2027 Growth
+101.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,926 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,397 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Lawrence, KS grew 86.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,950 in 2019 to $59,550 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,397. New graduates entering the Lawrence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your speech-language pathology Career in Lawrence
In the competitive landscape of Lawrence, school districts are the primary employers for new grad speech-language pathologists, providing structured mentorship programs during the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), which can greatly aid in professional development. Other viable options include hospital systems that often offer residency tracks specifically for medical SLPs, and private pediatric practices that may provide sign-on bonuses to attract newly certified clinicians. Credentials such as a Master's degree from a CAA-accredited program and the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) are essential, while obtaining a state SLP license can increase starting pay in KS. Moreover, specialization—particularly in areas like dysphagia within skilled nursing facilities—can lead to better salary prospects. As telepractice continues to expand post-2020, new graduates should consider agile career strategies in year one to three, taking advantage of the growing demand for flexible service delivery models.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new speech-language pathology graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Lawrence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127).
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