Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Minot, ND: $64,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Minot, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,484 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Minot's local price level (BEA RPP 87.0 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $74,096 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($89,348) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field as speech-language pathologists in Minot, North Dakota, the starting salary can be expected around $64,484, significantly lower than the city’s median of $89,348. This gap highlights the typical trajectory for early-career professionals, as many can anticipate reaching the $66,460 figure at the 25th percentile within their first few years. The growth potential in this market is promising, with entry-level salaries projected to grow steadily as new therapists gain experience and develop their skills. Given the competitive salary landscape, Minot can be an attractive market for new SLP graduates, especially when considering the city's relatively lower cost of living index at 87.028 compared to the national average.
Career Earnings Timeline in Minot
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 Minot
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Minot, ND typically start between $64,484 and $66,460 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,864 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $89,348 — 12.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in North Dakota of $60,000 represents just 93.05% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($64,484/year) in Minot. 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 Minot
- 1Research the Minot market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $64,484 to $66,460, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Minot, 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 Minot for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Minot'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 Minot is $24,864 ( 38.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,484, experienced hygienists can earn up to $89,348.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,135
2025 BLS Actual
$62,010
2026 Current Est.
$64,484
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Minot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,135 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,657 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,584 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,091 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,057 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Minot, ND grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,135 in 2019 to $62,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,057. New graduates entering the Minot job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minot 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 Minot
In Minot, various employers actively recruit new speech-language pathologists, often offering mentorship programs to facilitate a smooth transition from academic to clinical practice. School districts are leading employers, representing approximately 55% of job opportunities for SLPs, and typically provide structured support during the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). Additionally, local hospitals and skilled nursing facilities may offer residency tracks focusing on medical SLP practices, which could come with higher starting salaries. Entry-level candidates should aim to secure their ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) post-CFY, alongside obtaining a state SLP license, as these credentials can help enhance their marketability and boost starting pay. While salaries for new grad speech-language pathologists in ND may lag behind the national average of $101,775, the growth trajectory in the early years is solid, suggesting that entry-level professionals can expect salary increases as they gain experience and expertise in specialized areas like dysphagia or pediatric care.
More salary data for Minot, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Minot. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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