Speech-Language Pathologists Salary
The median pay for a speech-language pathologists in Missouri is $89,280/year ($42.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $100,348 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 19.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in Missouri?
About speech-language pathologists
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What this looks like in Missouri
Speech-language pathologists pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $89K locally vs. $98K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 19.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level speech-language pathologists (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $119K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Speech-Language Pathologists salary by metro in Missouri
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $98K | +10% | 80 |
| Columbia | $98K | +9% | 140 |
| St. Joseph | $94K | +5% | 50 |
| Springfield | $92K | +4% | 290 |
| St. Louis | $86K | -3% | 1,630 |
| Kansas City | $86K | -4% | 1,270 |
| Jefferson City | $84K | -6% | 50 |
| Joplin | $81K | -9% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track speech-language pathologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a speech-language pathologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 19.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for speech-language pathologists in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new speech-language pathologists typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,491/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 31% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is speech-language pathologist a high-paying job in Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $89K locally vs. $98K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for speech-language pathologists?
Missouri pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Missouri?
The median is $89,280 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,180, and experienced speech-language pathologists can clear $119,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,644/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 19.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a speech-language pathologists salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median speech-language pathologists salary is worth about $100,348 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do speech-language pathologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.