Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO: $48.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Cape Girardeau, MO runs $48.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,806 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Cape Girardeau's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,087 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the projected median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is $48.95, slightly above the national median of $48.93. This competitive rate allows professionals to take advantage of various work opportunities across different settings, such as school therapy rooms, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and telepractice environments. Part-time practitioners working three days a week can expect to earn around $3,918 monthly, making their skills particularly valuable in both public and private sectors. For those beginning their careers, the hourly rate begins at $31.72, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $56.67 per hour, representing the diversity within the field based on experience and specialty areas, especially in the dynamic context of Cape Girardeau’s healthcare landscape. This information is derived from the latest available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, calculated for 2026.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.72 | $253.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.44 | $347.49 |
| Median (P50) | $48.95 | $391.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.97 | $423.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.67 | $453.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Girardeau
Based on $48.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.95/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Girardeau, MO can expect to earn approximately $101,812 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,738. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cape Girardeau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Girardeau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,957.92 | $8,484 | $101,812 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,174.75 | $5,091 | $61,087 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $783.17 | $3,394 | $40,725 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Cape Girardeau) | $48.95 |
| Audiologist (National Avg) | $43.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| School / Educational Counselor (National Avg) | $30.85 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $31.40 |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $101,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.03% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 9.40% above the Missouri state average of $93,059.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.95/hr = $61,087/year (purchasing power: $70,967).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,812/year (purchasing power: $118,279).
CoL index: 86.078 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Cape Girardeau grew 23.7% from $38.05/hr (2019) to $47.07/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.90/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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.
Working as an Hourly Speech-Language Pathologist in Cape Girardeau
For those considering part-time work, the earning potential can vary dramatically. A speech-language pathologist working 24 hours weekly could expect to generate an approximate annual income significantly lower than a full-time counterpart, depending on their hourly engagements. Many choose per-diem roles, where payment often ranges from $50 to $75 per hour; specialties in acute care, particularly dysphagia management, may draw as much as $80 to $110 per hour in cash practices. While school districts in Cape Girardeau typically offer competitive hourly rates for SLPs, other employers, such as skilled nursing facilities and early intervention programs, may offer different compensation packages. This variability means some speech-language pathologists trade off higher hourly wages in favor of essential benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating effectively begins with understanding these regional trends, ensuring workers know their worth in Cape Girardeau's fluctuating job market for SLPs, as they seek to balance pay and benefits.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Cape Girardeau in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Cape Girardeau?
Are speech-language pathologists in Cape Girardeau paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Cape Girardeau?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Cape Girardeau?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in Cape Girardeau. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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