Bloomington vs Indianapolis: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Bloomington, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Bloomington, IN | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $95,619 | $97,043▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $45.97 | $46.65▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,372▲ | $65,898 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,353▲ | $81,424 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,085 | $110,313▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $123,405 | $127,877▲ |
| Total Employed | 40 | 1,360▲ |
Verdict
Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bloomington.
The salary gap between Bloomington and Indianapolis is $1,424 (1.49%). Indianapolis's median is -4.65% compared to the US national median of $101,775.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $48,033,Indianapolis spans $61,979. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($101,408 effective) pays 0.84% more than Bloomington ($100,563 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Bloomington if…
- ✓You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle
Choose Indianapolis if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($97,043/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($127,877)
- ✓Larger job market (1,360 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,408)
- ✓You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Bloomington grew 23.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.
Bloomington, IN
$74,360 (2019) → $91,950 (2025)
Indianapolis, IN
$79,580 (2019) → $93,320 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Bloomington, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Bloomington or Indianapolis?
What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Indianapolis?
Should I relocate from Bloomington to Indianapolis as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Bloomington vs Indianapolis?
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
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