Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Kansas City, MO: $89,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Kansas City, MO earns a median $89,556/year (≈ $43.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $96,772 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Kansas City, MO, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $89,556, representing a notable premium for those specializing in dysphagia and other medical settings. The salary range for this profession in the region spans from $61,760 at the 10th percentile to $123,062 at the 90th percentile, as derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data. Compared to the national median of $101,775, the Kansas City figures reflect a discrepancy of approximately 12.01%, highlighting potential advantages and drawbacks for professionals based in this vibrant city. With the growing demand for services, particularly in medical facilities and specialized clinics, speech-language pathologists find themselves in a robust market that can greatly influence their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,058 | $36.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,556 | $43.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,380 | $51.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,062 | $59.16 |
Median Salary Position
12.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, MO, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,302 (2026 est.). At $89,556, the local median is 12.01% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kansas City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $89,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $92,997 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -12.01% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $89,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.01% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.70% below the Missouri state average of $92,997.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas City has a cost of living 7.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kansas City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 92.543 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $89,556 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,772 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,660
2025 BLS Actual
$86,120
2026 Current Est.
$89,556
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 15.3% from $74,660 (2019) to $86,120 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,469 (24.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas City 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) | $61,760 – $76,058 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,058 – $89,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,556 – $107,380 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,380 – $123,062 |
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 Kansas City
The job market for speech-language pathologists is strong in Kansas City, with around 1,270 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 92.543, indicates that while salaries may lag behind the national average, the relatively lower expenses can enhance purchasing power for local practitioners. Employers paying the highest salaries are typically found in settings such as inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, where the medical specialty often commands greater compensation compared to school districts, which employ roughly 55% of SLPs. Factors such as year-round contracts, board specialization, and even the bilingual SLP premium can create significant pay discrepancies across different employment contexts. For those looking to maximize their speech-language pathologist pay in Kansas City, pursuing additional certifications, seeking employment in medical settings, and considering options like telepractice can strategically enhance their financial outlook.
More salary data for Kansas City, 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
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 $86,120 for speech-language pathologistsin the Kansas City 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