Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $43.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in St. Louis, MO runs $43.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,962 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, Missouri, the projected median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is $43.24, which is noticeably lower than the national equivalent of $48.93. This median rate is quite relevant for part-time speech-language pathologists, particularly those working three days a week, as they can earn a solid income in various settings such as school therapy rooms, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and telepractice sessions. The hourly rates for these professionals vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $29.09 and experienced pathologists reaching up to $56.73 per hour. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the different financial landscapes that SLPs navigate throughout their careers in St. Louis.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.09 | $232.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.34 | $282.69 |
| Median (P50) | $43.24 | $345.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.61 | $412.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.73 | $453.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $43.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.24/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $89,937 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,887. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,729.56 | $7,495 | $89,937 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,037.74 | $4,497 | $53,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $691.82 | $2,998 | $35,975 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (St. Louis) | $43.24 |
| 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 St. Louis, MO earn a median of $89,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.64% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.30% below the Missouri state average of $93,000.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.24/hr = $53,962/year (purchasing power: $56,750).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,937/year (purchasing power: $94,583).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in St. Louis grew -2.1% from $42.48/hr (2019) to $41.58/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.96/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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis
For those considering part-time work, a speech-language pathologist working 24 hours a week could bring home approximately $53,091 annually, a tempting option compared to the stability of a full-time role. Per diem speech-language pathologists in St. Louis often command higher rates, billing anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour, with medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia earning even more—typically around $80 to $110 in cash practices. The diversity in employer types, such as school districts, hospitals, and private practices, leads to variations in pay, where school positions might offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, compared to freelance or contracting jobs that may lack insurance but offer attractive hourly rates. Negotiation skills are beneficial; being informed about local averages and understanding the value of one's qualifications can significantly influence pay rates in this competitive field in St. Louis.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
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
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 St. Louis. 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