MO · Joplin · Updated October 15, 2026

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in Joplin, MO

Speech-Language Pathologists in the Joplin area earn a median of $38.97 per hour, about $81,060 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $25.85 and $48.45. That ranks 239th of 362 U.S. metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay, and 129th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Joplin. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Joplin.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in Joplin, MO

The metro median is 3% below the Missouri statewide median of $40.36 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.87 per hour. BLS counts about 70 speech-language pathologists employed in the Joplin metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.71).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$22.21$46,20052% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$25.85$53,77044% below U.S. median
Median$38.97$81,06015% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$48.45$100,7806% above U.S. median
Top 10%$60.96$126,80033% above U.S. median

How Joplin ranks

  • 239th of 362 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 129th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 6th of 7 Missouri metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Joplin

  • Overall prices in Joplin run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.7, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 46% below the U.S. average (index 54.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $38.97 median hour buys what $45.46 buys at the national price level, 1% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Estimate your Joplin paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,403
  • Per year: $70,146
  • Per month: $5,846

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Joplin metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Joplin

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel speech-language pathologist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Speech-Language Pathologist roles in Missouri

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Joplin as they open.

PermanentPosted 3 days ago

Audiologist

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Leonard Wood, MO

$90k–$116k/ year
  • Full-time
  • Req 888404700
New this week
View role

All Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in Missouri

Hospitals in Joplin

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Joplin, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of speech-language pathologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Freeman Health System - Freeman West
Joplin, MO
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Mercy Hospital Joplin
Joplin, MO
Acute careNonprofit1 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Bentonville, AR52 mi$38.90/hr61,791
Rogers, AR56 mi$38.90/hr75,639
Springdale, AR64 mi$38.90/hr89,368
Springfield, MO67 mi$35.79/hr170,596
Fayetteville, AR72 mi$38.90/hr103,134
Broken Arrow, OK101 mi$41.28/hr122,756

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in Missouri · Speech-Language Pathologist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Missouri

Master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Missouri taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Missouri state guide

Other healthcare roles in Joplin

Joplin city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do speech-language pathologists make in Joplin, MO?

Speech-Language Pathologists in the Joplin metro area have a median pay of $38.97 per hour, about $81,060 a year. The middle half earn between $25.85 and $48.45 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Joplin a good place for speech-language pathologists once cost of living is counted?

Joplin ranks 129th of 328 metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 239th of 362 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.

Where do speech-language pathologists work in Joplin?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Joplin, led by Freeman Health System - Freeman West. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Missouri license to work in Joplin as a speech-language pathologist?

Master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Joplin?

The federal per diem benchmark in Joplin is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place speech-language pathologists in Joplin?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Joplin and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Joplin.

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Pay report · SLP near Joplin, MO
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your SLP pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Missouri list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • St. Louis Children's HopsitalSt. Louis, MO · 1 wage offer$42.15/ hr$42–$42
  • School District of Kansas City 33Kansas City, MO · 1 wage offer$25.91/ hr$26–$26
  • AmedisysButler, GA · 3 postings$73.50/ hr$49–$85
  • BrightSpring Health ServicesESCONDIDO, CA · 7 postings$62.50/ hr$60–$65

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Missouri list

2What they are offering now

Low$36Median$49.00High$62

203 SLP postings with published pay in the US, 154 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 2 SLP roles

  1. AudiologistPermanent
    $90k–$116k/ year
    Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Leonard Wood, MO · posted 3 days ago
  2. Speech Language Pathologist Part time $10K Sign on BonusPermanent
    $37.50–$48.75/ hour
    Amedisys · Springfield, MO · posted 30+ days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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