Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Edina, MN: $54,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Edina, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,735 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Edina's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,569 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,367) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Edina, Minnesota, the starting speech-language pathologist salary for new graduates is projected at around $54,735 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the pay scale, with more experienced professionals earning a median of $84,367. Such a gap denotes that new grads have room for growth in their salaries as they gain experience and complete necessary milestones like their Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). For those entering the job market, the anticipated growth trajectory from entry-level to more established positions suggests a movement from $54,735 to approximately $66,758 within the first few years. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, Edina can be viewed as a moderately positive market for fresh graduates, especially due to its competitive entry-level salaries, even though they fall behind the national average.
About the Edina Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Edina
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 Edina
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Edina, MN typically start between $54,735 and $66,758 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,070 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,367 — 17.1% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Minnesota of $80,000 represents just 146.16% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($54,735/year) in Edina. 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 Edina
- 1Research the Edina market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $54,735 to $66,758, 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 MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Edina, 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 Edina for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Edina's moderate 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 Edina is $62,070 ( 113.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,735, experienced hygienists can earn up to $116,805.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,706
2025 BLS Actual
$52,635
2026 Current Est.
$54,735
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Edina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,936 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,171 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,919 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Edina, MN grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,706 in 2019 to $52,635 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,919. New graduates entering the Edina job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Edina 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 Edina
Hiring organizations in Edina that typically recruit for entry-level roles include local school districts, hospital systems, and pediatric private practices. School districts make up a significant portion of employment opportunities and often provide structured mentorship for new graduates during their CFY, which is crucial for gaining the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Additionally, hospitals may offer residency tracks for medical speech-language pathologists, which can lead to specialized skills and higher compensation, particularly in areas like dysphagia. Practitioners can further enhance their marketability by obtaining state licenses and considering optional board certifications. As the first few years unfold, new graduates should focus on building experience in high-demand settings and take advantage of the rapid growth of telepractice opportunities, which surged significantly post-2020. Overall, while the entry-level pay may start at $54,735, there is clear potential for salary advancements as professionals develop their expertise and credentials within the field in Edina, MN.
More salary data for Edina, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is speech-language pathology school worth it in Edina?
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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 Edina. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Edina is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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