Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Joplin, MO: $84,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Joplin, MO earns a median $84,273/year (≈ $40.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $98,314 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $84,273 for speech-language pathologists, a figure that falls significantly below the national median of $101,775. The range of salaries for local professionals spans from $55,739 at the 10th percentile to $116,614 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the notable dichotomy between school-based and medical speech-language pathologists in Joplin, emphasizing the disparities in contracts and benefits. While nearly half of employed SLPs work in educational settings that typically provide 9- to 10-month contracts, those who practice in medical environments often enjoy year-round positions, which generally offer higher compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,739 | $26.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,165 | $29.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,273 | $40.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,921 | $49.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,614 | $56.06 |
Median Salary Position
17.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,875 (2026 est.). At $84,273, the local median is 17.2% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Joplin median: $84,273/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $93,017 | -9.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.20% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Joplin, MO earn a median of $84,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.20% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 9.40% below the Missouri state average of $93,017.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,273 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,314 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,160
2025 BLS Actual
$81,040
2026 Current Est.
$84,273
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,636 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 15.5% from $70,160 (2019) to $81,040 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,636 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,476 (24.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $55,739 – $62,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,165 – $84,273 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,273 – $101,921 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,921 – $116,614 |
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 Joplin
With 80 practicing speech-language pathologists in Joplin, the local job market presents various opportunities despite compensation rates being roughly 17.20% lower than the national average. The cost of living in Joplin, represented by a lower index of 85.718, suggests that take-home pay can stretch further compared to higher-cost areas. Typically, schools and pediatric outpatient clinics provide foundational pay, while positions in hospital inpatient rehab or skilled nursing facilities command higher salaries, particularly for those with specialized certifications. The variation in salary often reflects the work setting, with medical roles outperforming educational contracts, as well as factors like board specialty stipends, demand for telepractice services, and bilingual capabilities that can enhance individual market value. Aspiring SLPs can maximize their earnings by seeking roles in high-demand medical settings or enhancing their qualifications with specialization in dysphagia or bilingual services.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
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 $81,040 for speech-language pathologistsin the Joplin 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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