Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Liberty, MO: $91,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Liberty, MO earns a median $91,689/year (≈ $44.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $102,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberty, MO, the projected compensation for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $91,689, which reflects a 9.91% deviation below the national median of $101,775. This salary sits within a range from $59,341 at the 10th percentile to $118,238 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability based on experience and specific work contexts. Factors such as employment settings—whether in schools or medical facilities—play a pivotal role in determining this structural divide, where school positions commonly present year-long contracts, while many medical positions might offer year-round stability. Despite lower average pay, Liberty's local market has a steady demand for SLPs, which can lead to enhanced job security for those in the field.
About the Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,341 | $28.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,486 | $34.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,689 | $44.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,869 | $49.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,238 | $56.84 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberty
In Liberty, MO, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,897 (2026 est.). At $91,689, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Liberty: You'd be above the median
How Liberty Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Liberty median: $91,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $93,085 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -9.91% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Liberty, MO earn a median of $91,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $93,085.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberty has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Liberty, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $91,689 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,331 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,279
2025 BLS Actual
$88,171
2026 Current Est.
$91,689
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,225 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,802 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,441 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,171 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,347 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberty metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $71,279 (2019) to $88,171 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,347 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,068 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberty 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) | $59,341 – $72,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,486 – $91,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,689 – $103,869 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,869 – $118,238 |
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 Liberty
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Liberty remains stable, with only five positions reported locally, yet the cost of living index at 89.6 suggests greater purchasing power for salaries earned in the area. Schools typically represent the largest employer segment, accounting for about 55% of SLP roles; however, sectors such as inpatient rehab and telepractice tend to offer higher salaries. Variations in pay can occur due to advantages awarded for board specialty certification, bilingual skills, and differing contract structures. For aspiring SLPs or current professionals seeking to maximize their earnings, considering positions in medical settings or telepractice could be more lucrative, especially with the considerable increase in remote service provision post-2020.
More salary data for Liberty, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Liberty?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Liberty?
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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 $88,171 for speech-language pathologistsin the Liberty 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 Liberty 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