Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in St. Louis, MO
Speech-Language Pathologists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $86,480 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,541 take-home, or $5,545 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,196
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,362
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,254
- Missouri income tax$3,127
- Take-home pay$66,541
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,180 | $27.97 | $47,131 | $3,928 |
| 25th percentile | $70,690 | $33.99 | $56,175 | $4,681 |
| Median (50th) | $86,480 | $41.58 | $66,541 | $5,545 |
| 75th percentile | $103,240 | $49.63 | $77,544 | $6,462 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,470 | $54.55 | $84,260 | $7,022 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,480 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $66,541 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,979 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Speech-Language Pathologist jobs are about as common in St. Louis, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
St. Louis, MO ranks #53 of 71 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Paso, TX | $99,430 | $78,779 | $87,618 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $103,420 | $78,084 | $83,894 |
| 4 | McAllen, TX | $89,860 | $72,047 | $83,877 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $132,720 | $92,141 | $83,444 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $126,360 | $88,468 | $82,937 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $104,510 | $82,353 | $82,176 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $98,900 | $76,469 | $81,416 |
| 53 | St. Louis, MO | $86,480 | $66,541 | $69,979 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $86,120
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in St. Louis, MO?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $86,480 a year, or about $41.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $70,690 and $103,240.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $86,480 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $66,541 a year ($5,545 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,127 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,979 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #53 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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