Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Shawnee, KS: $90,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Shawnee, KS earns a median $90,185/year (≈ $43.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Shawnee's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $99,213 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For speech-language pathologists in Shawnee, Kansas, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $90,185, which falls below the national median of $101,775. The local salary range is quite broad, with the lowest earners making approximately $59,687, while the top 10% can earn as much as $123,041. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the region’s cost of living, which is indexed at 90.9, indicating that Shawnee offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to the national average. The job market reflects a structural divide, with a significant portion of positions in the educational sector, traditionally offering school-year contracts, while medical settings tend to provide year-round employment, impacting overall earnings and work stability in Shawnee.
About the Shawnee Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,687 | $28.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,246 | $34.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,185 | $43.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,898 | $50.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,041 | $59.15 |
Median Salary Position
11.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shawnee
In Shawnee, KS, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,354 (2026 est.). At $90,185, the local median is 11.39% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shawnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shawnee Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Shawnee median: $90,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shawnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $92,498 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -11.39% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Shawnee, KS earn a median of $90,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.39% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.50% below the Kansas state average of $92,498.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shawnee has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shawnee, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $90,185 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,213 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,110
2025 BLS Actual
$86,725
2026 Current Est.
$90,185
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Shawnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,315 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,057 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,559 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,122 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,725 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,784 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shawnee metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $70,110 (2019) to $86,725 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,784 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,674 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shawnee 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) | $59,687 – $72,246 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,246 – $90,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,185 – $105,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,898 – $123,041 |
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 Shawnee
While only 11 speech-language pathologists are currently employed in Shawnee, the local job market shows signs of strength with a favorable growth rate of 3.99% annually projected over the next five years. Given the cost of living index being notably lower than the national average, the take-home purchasing power for SLPs can be quite manageable. In terms of employer compensation, school districts, despite their typically lower pay scale, still represent a significant portion of opportunities, while positions in medical settings, such as inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer higher wages. The disparity in salaries often stems from the work setting, with medical roles generally commanding more due to their complexity and scope. Generating additional income can be achieved through specialties such as bilingual SLP services or by engaging in telepractice, which has seen exponential growth in recent years. Hence, for those considering a career this field in Shawnee, exploring diverse work environments and capitalizing on niche skills may lead to enhanced earnings.
More salary data for Shawnee, KS:
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 $86,725 for speech-language pathologistsin the Shawnee 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
Salary data for Shawnee 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