Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $69,230 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Des Moines, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,230 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,460 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,507) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Moines, Washington, new graduates entering the field of speech-language pathology can anticipate starting salaries around $69,230, significantly lower than the city's median pay of $105,507. This gap highlights the initial earning potential for entry-level positions, but there is a clear growth trajectory within the first few years. Over time, many early-career speech-language pathologists can advance to the 25th percentile, earning about $84,109, and then towards the median as they gain experience and clinical skills. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, Des Moines currently presents an attractive job market for fresh graduates, offering the opportunity to steadily increase their pay as they establish themselves professionally in the field.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
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, WA typically start between $69,230 and $84,109 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $71,674 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,507 — 3.67% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Washington of $90,000 represents just 130.00% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($69,230/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 $69,230 to $84,109, 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 WA 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 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 Des Moines is $71,674 ( 103.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,230, experienced hygienists can earn up to $140,904.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,751
2025 BLS Actual
$66,574
2026 Current Est.
$69,230
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
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 | $52,751 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,307 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,663 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,102 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,230 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,993 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, WA grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,751 in 2019 to $66,574 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $71,993. 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
In the early stages of their careers, entry-level speech-language pathologists should consider the local hiring landscape to maximize job opportunities and starting pay in WA. School districts are among the largest employers of new graduates, providing a structured Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) mentorship designed to support professional growth. Additionally, hospital systems offer residency tracks that can enhance clinical expertise, while pediatric private practices are increasingly competitive, sometimes providing sign-on bonuses due to higher demand. To elevate their marketability and starting pay, newcomers should focus on obtaining their state license, the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) following their CFY, and consider pursuing additional board certifications in specialized areas. The highest salaries are often found in hospital settings, particularly for those specializing in areas such as dysphagia, whereas telepractice continues to expand following increased demand post-2020. Overall, understanding the dynamics of this profession and seeking opportunities within predominant sectors can guide new graduates towards favorable salary growth during their first few years in the workforce.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is speech-language pathology school worth it in Des Moines?
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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 Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Moines 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