MO · Kansas City · Updated October 15, 2026

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in Kansas City, MO

Pay for speech-language pathologists in the Kansas City area centers on $40.53 per hour, or about $84,300 a year. The lower quarter earns under $32.24 and the upper quarter over $48.76. That ranks 193rd of 362 U.S. metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay, and 172nd of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 9 hospitals in Kansas City. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Kansas City.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in Kansas City, MO

The metro median is in line with the Missouri statewide median of $40.36 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.87 per hour. BLS counts about 1,270 speech-language pathologists employed in the Kansas City metro area, 1.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.00).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$26.66$55,45042% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$32.24$67,06030% below U.S. median
Median$40.53$84,30012% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$48.76$101,4206% above U.S. median
Top 10%$55.49$115,42021% above U.S. median

How Kansas City ranks

  • 193rd of 362 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 172nd of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd 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 Kansas City

  • Overall prices in Kansas City run 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.5, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 13% below the U.S. average (index 86.6).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $40.53 median hour buys what $43.80 buys at the national price level, 5% 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 Kansas City paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,459
  • Per year: $72,954
  • Per month: $6,080

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

Travel assignment per diem in Kansas City

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$135
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,505
13-week assignment$19,565

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. 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City

CMS lists 9 hospitals in Kansas City, 4 of the 7 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of speech-language pathologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Saint Lukes North Hospital
Kansas City, MO
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
St Lukes Hospital Of Kansas City
Kansas City, MO
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Kansas City Va Medical Center
Kansas City, MO
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
University Health Lakewood Medical Center
Kansas City, MO
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
St Joseph Medical Center
Kansas City, MO
Acute careFor-profit3 of 5Yes
Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill
Kansas City, MO
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Research Medical Center
Kansas City, MO
Acute careFor-profit2 of 5Yes
The Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City, MO
Children'sNonprofitNot ratedYes
Center For Behavioral Medicine
Kansas City, MO
PsychiatricGovernment and federalNot ratedNo

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
Kansas City, KS10 mi$40.53/hr156,752
Independence, MO11 mi$40.53/hr121,629
Lawrence, KS40 mi$45.50/hr97,271
St. Joseph, MO46 mi$39.21/hr71,098
Topeka, KS62 mi$37.91/hr125,467
Manhattan, KS110 mi$37.39/hr54,700

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 Kansas City

Kansas City city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

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

Speech-Language Pathologists in the Kansas City metro area have a median pay of $40.53 per hour, about $84,300 a year. The middle half earn between $32.24 and $48.76 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Kansas City ranks 172nd of 328 metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 193rd of 362 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% below the U.S. average.

Where do speech-language pathologists work in Kansas City?

CMS lists 9 hospitals in Kansas City, led by Saint Lukes North Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Missouri license to work in Kansas City 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 Kansas City?

The federal per diem benchmark in Kansas City is $135 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,505 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 Kansas City?

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

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What do employers near Kansas City pay speech-language pathologists? Get the report.

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Pay report · SLP near Kansas City, 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

  • School District of Kansas City 33Kansas City, MO · 1 wage offer$25.91/ hr$26–$26
  • St. Louis Children's HopsitalSt. Louis, MO · 1 wage offer$42.15/ hr$42–$42
  • 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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