Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Derby, KS: $91,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Derby, KS earns a median $91,228/year (≈ $43.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Derby's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $100,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Derby, Kansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $91,228, which reflects a 10.36% decrease compared to the national median of $101,775. The salary range for these professionals in Derby varies significantly from $59,524 at the 10th percentile to $120,985 at the 90th percentile. These figures are carefully estimated based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which stands at 90.9, indicating that Derby's living expenses are slightly lower than the national average. Notably, many practitioners may seek additional income through telepractice opportunities, capitalizing on the potential for flexible hours and competitive pay rates, which have seen dramatic growth since 2020. This dynamic job market could entice both new professionals and seasoned clinicians to explore various working environments.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,524 | $28.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,193 | $34.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,228 | $43.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,383 | $50.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,985 | $58.16 |
Median Salary Position
10.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
In Derby, KS, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,461 (2026 est.). At $91,228, the local median is 10.36% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Derby: You'd be above the median
How Derby Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Derby median: $91,228/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Derby Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $92,524 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -10.36% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Derby, KS earn a median of $91,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.40% below the Kansas state average of $92,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Derby has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Derby, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $91,228 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,921
2025 BLS Actual
$87,728
2026 Current Est.
$91,228
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,921 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,867 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,421 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,037 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,709 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Derby metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $70,921 (2019) to $87,728 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,947 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $59,524 – $72,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,193 – $91,228 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,228 – $105,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,383 – $120,985 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Derby
The local job market in Derby currently comprises only four active speech-language pathologists, highlighting a unique opportunity for those entering the field. With a cost of living index below the national average, this demographic can experience a more favorable purchasing power, especially when factoring in salary and local expenses. School districts typically represent the most significant employers, often dictating pay scales that vary based on the setting; SLPs in medical environments like skilled nursing facilities or hospital rehabilitation centers tend to command higher salaries. The variation in speech-language pathologist pay in Derby, KS, can also stem from different contract types, such as school-year versus year-round positions. Individuals holding specialty certifications or those who are bilingual often find themselves able to negotiate better compensation. For those looking to maximize earnings in Derby, strategically seeking roles in high-demand environments or expanding services through telepractice can offer fruitful channels for increased income.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Derby?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $87,728 for speech-language pathologistsin the Derby metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derby is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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