Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Gardner, KS: $85,791 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Gardner, KS earns a median $85,791/year (≈ $41.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $94,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Speech-language pathologists in Gardner, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $85,791 in 2026, a figure that reflects the unique job market shaped by the structural divide between school-based and medical settings. This salary is situated within a range that spans from $60,671 at the lower tenth percentile to $113,468 at the upper ninetieth percentile, highlighting significant earning potential based on work environment and experience. Estimates drawn from 2025 BLS data indicate that this figure lags approximately 15.71% behind the national median of $101,775, emphasizing the regional differences in compensation. As Gardner attracts both new graduates from accredited programs and seasoned clinicians, understanding these salary dynamics can be crucial for those entering or advancing in the field of speech-language pathology.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,671 | $29.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,080 | $34.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,791 | $41.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,547 | $47.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,468 | $54.55 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,797 (2026 est.). At $85,791, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Gardner median: $85,791/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $92,547 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -15.71% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Gardner, KS earn a median of $85,791 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $92,547.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner 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.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,791 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,380 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,694
2025 BLS Actual
$82,499
2026 Current Est.
$85,791
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,694 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,267 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,499 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,791 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $66,694 (2019) to $82,499 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,520 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $60,671 – $71,080 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,080 – $85,791 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,791 – $99,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,547 – $113,468 |
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 Gardner
In terms of job demand, Gardner currently employs six speech-language pathologists, underscoring a competitive but manageable local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, take-home salaries for SLPs may stretch further here than in more expensive regions, although they still bear in mind the realities of local compensation levels. Among local employers, school districts tend to provide lower pay, whereas hospital settings, skilled nursing facilities, and early intervention programs generally offer more competitive salaries, reflecting the greater demand for clinical specialists in these environments. The difference in pay often results from the nature of contracts—schools typically offer year-long contracts compared to the year-round opportunities in medical settings—along with additional factors like specialized certification stipends or the growing telepractice sector. Aspiring and current SLPs can maximize their earnings by seeking further certifications, targeting higher-paying settings, or exploring bilingual opportunities, which are often compensated at a premium in the Gardner market.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Gardner?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Gardner?
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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 $82,499 for speech-language pathologistsin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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