Speech-Language Pathologists pay range in Columbia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,760 a year or less, while the top 10% make $128,230 or more. The middle half of speech-language pathologists in Columbia earn between $80,580 and $106,330.
- $59K10th
- $81K25th
- $98KMedian
- $106K75th
- $128K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94,470 | $7,872 | $45.42 |
| Median | $97,610 | $8,134 | $46.93 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $80,580 | $6,715 | $38.74 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $106,330 | $8,861 | $51.12 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Speech-Language Pathologists pay in Columbia vs. Missouri and the U.S.
Speech-language pathologists in Columbia earn 6% more than the Missouri average ($89,040) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($98,170). At the median the gap is -0% against the U.S. median of $97,870.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $94,470 | $97,610 | $58,760 | $128,230 | 140 |
| Missouri | $89,040 | $89,280 | $58,180 | $119,240 | 3,230 |
| United States | $98,170 | $97,870 | $62,900 | $134,160 | 183,390 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Speech-Language Pathologists salary after taxes in Columbia
On the average salary of $94,470, a single filer in Columbia takes home about $71,787 a year, or $5,982 a month and $2,761 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.
Is Columbia a good place for speech-language pathologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbia area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.4), so the average $94,470 buys what about $105,626 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbia ($47,260). A typical home costs $323,951, or 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Speech-Language Pathologists salary in other Missouri cities
Columbia ranks 1st of 8 Missouri metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Columbia$94,470
- Cape Girardeau$92,860
- Springfield$89,820
- St. Joseph$89,690
- Kansas City$88,130
- St. Louis$87,930
- Jefferson City$86,810
- Joplin$83,580
Highest-paying cities for speech-language pathologists
El Centro, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($139,700).
- El Centro, CA$139,700
- Napa, CA$135,020
- San Jose, CA$134,270
- Santa Rosa, CA$132,480
- San Francisco, CA$130,240
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Speech-Language Pathologists salary in Columbia: questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make an hour in Columbia?
$45.42 an hour on average, and $46.93 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologists salary in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,760 a year and the 25th percentile is $80,580, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the speech-language pathologists take-home pay in Columbia?
About $71,787 a year ($5,982 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $94,470. The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.
Do speech-language pathologists earn more in Columbia than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less than the U.S. average for this job ($98,170).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1127; area Columbia, MO (17860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.14, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.