Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Evanston, WY: $66,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Evanston, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,286 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Evanston's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,192 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($91,390) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As aspiring speech-language pathologists enter the job market in 2026, the entry level speech-language pathologist salary in Evanston, WY, presents a complex picture. New graduates can expect starting salaries around $66,286, substantially lower than the median annual salary of $91,390 for more experienced professionals in the area. This reflects a typical progression where entry-level pay gradually rises; early-career SLPs may reach $76,922 at the 25th percentile within the first few years. Given this trajectory and a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, Evanston represents a reasonable market for new grads looking to establish their careers, particularly for those targeting positions in school districts or medical facilities where demand remains robust.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Evanston
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 Evanston
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Evanston, WY typically start between $66,286 and $76,922 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,605 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $91,390 — 10.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Wyoming of $60,000 represents just 90.52% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($66,286/year) in Evanston. 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 Evanston
- 1Research the Evanston market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $66,286 to $76,922, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Evanston, 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 Evanston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Evanston'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 Evanston is $47,605 ( 71.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,286, experienced hygienists can earn up to $113,891.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,508
2025 BLS Actual
$63,743
2026 Current Est.
$66,286
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,508 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,045 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,998 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,125 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,931 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Evanston, WY grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,508 in 2019 to $63,743 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,931. New graduates entering the Evanston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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 Evanston
In Evanston, potential employers actively seek new grad speech-language pathologists, providing a variety of pathways for early-career professionals. School districts tend to be the largest employers, often implementing structured Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) mentorship programs, which are crucial for gaining the necessary ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Additionally, local hospital systems may offer medical speech-language pathology residency tracks, while pediatric private practices are incentivized to recruit talent with sign-on bonuses amid labor shortages. Graduates with a Master's degree from a CAA-accredited program and those who pursue optional board certifications can significantly boost their starting pay. Those focusing on specialties, such as dysphagia within skilled nursing facilities, might also see enhanced compensation. The market for telepractice has additionally expanded, creating opportunities that did not exist prior. For new speech-language pathologists in their first years, maintaining flexibility and seeking diverse clinical experiences can lead to competitive salary growth and career advancement in this evolving field.
More salary data for Evanston, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is speech-language pathology school worth it in Evanston?
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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 Evanston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Evanston 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