Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $67,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Des Moines, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,542 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 91.7 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,655 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($87,435) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Earning a starting salary as a speech-language pathologist in Des Moines, Iowa, typically begins at approximately $67,542 in 2026. This entry-level pay positions new graduates at a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $87,435, but it represents a realistic entry point for those entering the field. With projected growth from early career levels, salaries can reach around $75,944 as they gain experience, and prospective new SLPs can expect to close the income gap over their first few years in practice. Given the overall demand for SLPs and the steady 3.99% growth in the profession, Des Moines appears to be a favorable market for fresh graduates looking to establish their careers in speech-language pathology.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Moines
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Des Moines, IA typically start between $67,542 and $75,944 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $60,730 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $87,435 — 14.09% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Iowa of $70,000 represents just 103.64% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($67,542/year) in Des Moines. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAA-accredited Master's in Speech-Language Pathology programs. Tuition varies widely between public in-state and private institutions; most programs also require a Clinical Fellowship Year for ASHA certification.
SLP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Des Moines
- 1Research the Des Moines market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $67,542 to $75,944, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the speech-language pathology field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Des Moines, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Des Moines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Moines's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Speech-Language Pathologist Compensation Range
The speech-language pathologist wage spread in Des Moines is $60,730 ( 89.91%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,542, experienced hygienists can earn up to $128,272.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,540
2025 BLS Actual
$64,950
2026 Current Est.
$67,542
2019–2027 Growth
+28.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,236 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, IA grew 19.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,540 in 2019 to $64,950 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,236. New graduates entering the Des Moines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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.
Starting Your speech-language pathology Career in Des Moines
A variety of employers in Des Moines actively seek out new graduates in speech-language pathology. School districts remain the largest hiring sector, employing approximately 55% of the workforce, and typically provide structured mentorship through Clinical Fellowship Years (CFY). Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often offer medical SLP residency tracks, which can lead to specialized practice in areas like dysphagia and generally higher pay levels for entry-level positions. To enhance their starting speech-language pathologist salary in Des Moines, new grads should prioritize obtaining their Master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, achieving the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) post-CFY, and securing a state SLP license. Continued education and optional board certifications can further elevate their marketability. With the rapid growth of telepractice since 2020 expanding job opportunities, entry-level professionals can reasonably aim for salary increases during their first few years, particularly if they choose roles in higher-paying medical settings.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for speech-language pathologists in Des Moines in 2026?
How fast do speech-language pathologist salaries grow in Des Moines?
Is speech-language pathology school worth it in Des Moines?
What do new speech-language pathologists make right out of school in Des Moines?
How do I become a speech-language pathologist in Iowa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Iowa
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new speech-language pathology graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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