SLP Salary

Billings vs Great Falls: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Billings, MT and Great Falls, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Billings, MT
$86,956
$41.80/hr
Great Falls, MT
$83,306
$40.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBillings, MTGreat Falls, MT
Median Salary$86,956$83,306
Hourly Rate$41.80$40.05
Entry Level (P10)$64,422$58,765
25th Percentile$79,209$76,069
75th Percentile$105,290$91,043
Top Earner (P90)$116,885$106,850
Total Employed11040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Billings ($86,956) and Great Falls ($83,306) speech-language pathologist salaries.BillingsGreat FallsMedian Salary$86,956$83,306Entry Level (P10)$64,422$58,765Top Earner (P90)$116,885$106,850US Median $101,775

Verdict

Billings, MT offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Great Falls.

The salary gap between Billings and Great Falls is $3,650 (4.38%). Billings's median is -14.56% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $52,463,Great Falls spans $48,085. Billings has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Billings
P10 (Entry)$64,422
P25$79,209
Median$86,956
P75$105,290
P90 (Top)$116,885
Great Falls
P10 (Entry)$58,765
P25$76,069
Median$83,306
P75$91,043
P90 (Top)$106,850

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Billings ($92,975 effective) pays 8.09% more than Great Falls ($86,020 effective).

Billings
Nominal: $86,956
CoL Index: 93.526
Adjusted: $92,975
Great Falls
Nominal: $83,306
CoL Index: 96.845
Adjusted: $86,020

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Billings if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,956/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,885)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,975)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Choose Great Falls if…

  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Billings grew 9.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 3.7% growth in Great Falls over the same period.

Billings, MT

+9.7%

$76,210 (2020) → $83,620 (2025)

Great Falls, MT

+3.7%

$77,230 (2024) → $80,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Billings or Great Falls?

Billings has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $86,956/year, compared to Great Falls at $83,306/year — a difference of $3,650 (4.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Billings and Great Falls?

Billings speech-language pathologists earn $41.80/hr while Great Falls hygienists earn $40.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Billings to Great Falls as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Billings and Great Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Billings = $92,975, Great Falls = $86,020), job availability (110 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Billings vs Great Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $64,422 in Billings and $58,765 in Great Falls. The Billings area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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