Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $41.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Jefferson City, MO runs $41.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,081 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,249 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jefferson City, the anticipated speech-language pathologist hourly pay for 2026 is set at $41.87. This figure is notably below the national median hourly rate of $48.93, indicating a unique regional economic environment for SLPs working in various settings such as schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and telepractice. For part-time professionals, like those working three days a week, the hourly pay translates to a workable income, especially in environments like therapy rooms where they may engage with multiple clients daily. Entry-level positions can start around $29.72, while more experienced professionals may exceed $57.60 per hour, according to official BLS data. This range highlights the potential earnings disparity based on experience and specific employment context within the field.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.72 | $237.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.34 | $274.70 |
| Median (P50) | $41.87 | $334.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.40 | $427.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.60 | $460.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $41.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.87/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $87,082 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,240. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,674.65 | $7,257 | $87,082 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,004.79 | $4,354 | $52,249 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $669.86 | $2,903 | $34,833 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Jefferson City) | $41.87 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $87,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.44% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 6.40% below the Missouri state average of $93,035.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.87/hr = $52,249/year (purchasing power: $59,391).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,082/year (purchasing power: $98,985).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Jefferson City grew 12.1% from $35.92/hr (2019) to $40.26/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.54/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
In examining the financial realities for part-time or per-diem speech-language pathologists in Jefferson City, those working 24 hours a week can see an annual take-home that reflects a significant difference compared to full-time practitioners. The lucrative per-diem options are appealing, with many professionals billing between $50 and $75 per hour; medical SLPs, particularly those specializing in dysphagia, can earn even more, reaching $80 to $110 per hour in cash-based practices. Different employers offer varying rates, with school districts typically providing more stable benefits, while private practices and telepractice employers might pay higher hourly rates without additional benefits. As SLPs pursue roles, understanding their worth and negotiating rates can yield substantial financial benefits, especially in Jefferson City, where tailoring the job search according to one’s specialty—be it in schools or healthcare—can influence not only the pay but also professional satisfaction in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Jefferson City in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Jefferson City?
Are speech-language pathologists in Jefferson City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Jefferson City?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Jefferson City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 Jefferson City. 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, 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