Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Kansas: $83,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $83,848/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,242 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Overland Park ($90,418), Olathe ($89,268), Lenexa ($89,050).
In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Kansas is projected to be $83,848, significantly lower than the national median of $101,775, resulting in a salary gap of 17.6%. The highest-paying city in the state is Overland Park, where salaries reach $94,026, while the lowest is Manhattan, with salaries at $80,124. This difference of $13,902 is driven by factors such as population density, local demand for services, and availability of healthcare facilities. Kansas has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that all candidates must navigate, typically allowing for a wide range of practice settings including schools, hospitals, and private practices. The job market for speech-language pathologists in Kansas is projected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 3.99%, reflecting a consistent demand for these professionals across urban and rural settings alike. Key cities, with their projected salaries, include Olathe at $92,830, Lenexa at $92,603, Garden City at $91,687, and Derby at $91,228. As demand for speech-language services increases, those entering the field can expect good employment opportunities, especially in the more populated urban areas.
Kansas Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $54,474 (lowest entry-level) to $135,235 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas speech-language pathologists earn 17.61% less than the national median ($-17,927/year difference).
Kansas Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Kansas range from $60,774 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $116,536 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $83,848. The Kansas median is $17,927 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $40.31/hr. Approximately 891 speech-language pathologists are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,603
2025 BLS Actual
$80,631
2026 Current Est.
$83,848
2019–2027 Growth
+32.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,603 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,825 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,835 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,631 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,193 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 22.9% from $65,603 (2019) to $80,631 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,193 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,590 (32.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overland Park | $94,026 | 90.9 | $103,439 |
| Olathe | $92,830 | 90.9 | $102,123 |
| Lenexa | $92,603 | 90.9 | $101,873 |
| Garden City | $91,687 | 90.9 | $100,866 |
| Derby | $91,228 | 90.9 | $100,361 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,774 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $83,848 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $116,536 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overland Park | $94,026 |
| 2 | Olathe | $92,830 |
| 3 | Lenexa | $92,603 |
| 4 | Garden City | $91,687 |
| 5 | Derby | $91,228 |
| 6 | Hutchinson | $90,502 |
| 7 | Leavenworth | $90,474 |
| 8 | Shawnee | $90,185 |
| 9 | Kansas City | $90,126 |
| 10 | Salina | $89,520 |
| 11 | Leawood | $89,024 |
| 12 | Lawrence | $88,527 |
| 13 | Dodge City | $87,523 |
| 14 | Junction City | $87,244 |
| 15 | Prairie Village | $86,876 |
| 16 | Hays | $86,618 |
| 17 | Liberal | $86,285 |
| 18 | Gardner | $85,791 |
| 19 | Emporia | $85,408 |
| 20 | Topeka | $82,121 |
| 21 | Wichita | $81,518 |
| 22 | Manhattan | $80,124 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Kansas?
How does Kansas speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Kansas?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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