Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Leawood, KS: $61,821 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Leawood, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,821 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leawood's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,010 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($89,024) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates stepping into the role of speech-language pathologists in Leawood can expect an entry-level salary of approximately $61,821 in 2026. This starting pay represents a significant entry point compared to the city’s median annual salary of $89,024, highlighting a gap that new professionals can work to close over time. As they advance in their careers and gain experience, many may expect their earnings to progress through the $71,229 mark, and onward to the median salary as they complete important milestones like their Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). Overall, Leawood presents a favorable job market for recent graduates in this field, aligning well with the projected growth for speech-language pathology roles, which offers a 3.99% annual growth rate.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leawood
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leawood
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Leawood, KS typically start between $61,821 and $71,229 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $57,485 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $89,024 — 12.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Kansas of $55,000 represents just 88.97% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($61,821/year) in Leawood. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAA-accredited Master's in Speech-Language Pathology programs. Tuition varies widely between public in-state and private institutions; most programs also require a Clinical Fellowship Year for ASHA certification.
SLP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Leawood
- 1Research the Leawood market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $61,821 to $71,229, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the speech-language pathology field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Leawood, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Leawood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leawood's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Speech-Language Pathologist Compensation Range
The speech-language pathologist wage spread in Leawood is $57,485 ( 92.99%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,821, experienced hygienists can earn up to $119,306.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,106
2025 BLS Actual
$59,449
2026 Current Est.
$61,821
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,106 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,606 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,277 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,733 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,821 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,288 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Leawood, KS grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,106 in 2019 to $59,449 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,288. New graduates entering the Leawood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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.
Starting Your speech-language pathology Career in Leawood
In Leawood, school districts are the primary employers looking to hire new grad speech-language pathologists, as they account for approximately 55% of the SLP job market. These schools typically offer structured mentorship programs that facilitate the transition into professional practice. In addition to school settings, hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) tend to pay more due to specific specialties like dysphagia. For those looking to increase their entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in KS, holding a Master's degree from a CAA-accredited program, and obtaining the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) after completing the CFY are critical steps. Optional board certifications can further enhance job prospects and salary potential. The first three years can provide valuable experience, where SLPs can gradually expect salary increases as they hone their skills and possibly pivot into higher-paying specialties. Telepractice, which has expanded fourfold since 2020, also creates additional opportunities in this evolving field.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for speech-language pathologists in Leawood in 2026?
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Is speech-language pathology school worth it in Leawood?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new speech-language pathology graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Leawood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leawood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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