Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lawrence, KS: $88,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Lawrence, KS earns a median $88,527/year (≈ $42.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $98,098 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 projected median annual salary of $88,527, the compensation for speech-language pathologists in Lawrence, Kansas, provides a competitive option in the region, albeit below the national average of $101,775. The salary range from the 10th percentile to the 90th percentile extends from $61,926 to $108,222, reflecting the diversity within this profession. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the potential for both entry-level positions and experienced clinicians. As telepractice significantly influences the landscape of speech therapy, many professionals are also exploring 1099 side-income opportunities, enhancing their overall earnings. This rich combination of opportunities shapes the job market for speech-language pathologists in Lawrence, KS, making it a noteworthy place for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,926 | $29.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,115 | $32.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,527 | $42.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,030 | $50.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,222 | $52.03 |
Median Salary Position
13.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,296 (2026 est.). At $88,527, the local median is 13.02% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be above the median
How Lawrence Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $88,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $92,504 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -13.02% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $88,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.02% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.30% below the Kansas state average of $92,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $88,527 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,098 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,410
2025 BLS Actual
$85,130
2026 Current Est.
$88,527
2019–2027 Growth
+69.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 56.5% from $54,410 (2019) to $85,130 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,649 (69.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $61,926 – $67,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,115 – $88,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,527 – $105,030 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,030 – $108,222 |
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 Lawrence
Lawrence's job market for speech-language pathologists consists of about 50 professionals, attracting those seeking stability and growth in a supportive community. With a cost-of-living index of 90.243, many SLPs find that their earnings stretch further than those in more expensive regions, positively impacting their take-home purchasing power. The highest-paying employers typically include hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and specialized pediatric clinics, which often offer year-round contracts that can lead to increased compensation compared to school district positions governed by school-year schedules. Factors such as board specialty certification stipends and the demand for bilingual SLPs can create a wider disparity in pay. SLPs in Lawrence looking to maximize their earnings might consider diversifying their settings or focusing on telepractice, as the trend continues to flourish post-2020, allowing for referrals beyond local boundaries.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
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
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 $85,130 for speech-language pathologistsin the Lawrence 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
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