Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IL: $42.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Bloomington, IL runs $42.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,695 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,613 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is $42.16, which falls below the national median of $48.93. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions, such as working three days a week, where they can provide critical services in settings like school therapy rooms, hospital environments for dysphagia evaluations, or outpatient clinics for articulation therapy. The local hourly range spans from $30.86 for entry-level positions to $54.94 for experienced professionals, reflecting the variability in compensation based on experience and specialty. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, helping job seekers gauge their earning potential in various therapeutic environments throughout Bloomington.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.86 | $246.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.14 | $273.12 |
| Median (P50) | $42.16 | $337.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.28 | $386.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.94 | $439.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $42.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.16/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IL can expect to earn approximately $87,688 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,589. With a cost-of-living index of 93.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,686.30 | $7,307 | $87,688 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,011.78 | $4,384 | $52,613 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $674.52 | $2,923 | $35,075 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Bloomington) | $42.16 |
| Audiologist (National Avg) | $43.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| School / Educational Counselor (National Avg) | $30.85 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $31.40 |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $87,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.83% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.30% above the Illinois state average of $85,723.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.16/hr = $52,613/year (purchasing power: $56,248).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,688/year (purchasing power: $93,747).
CoL index: 93.537 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Bloomington grew 27.5% from $31.80/hr (2019) to $40.54/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.84/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Working as an Hourly Speech-Language Pathologist in Bloomington
When examining the financial implications of working part-time or per-diem, a speech-language pathologist in Bloomington working three days per week (24 hours) might realistically take home approximately $52,944 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. For those engaged in per-diem work, billing rates can vary significantly, with common hourly rates for SLPs ranging from $50 to $75, and specialized medical SLPs earning as much as $80 to $110 for dysphagia therapy. Hourly rates also differ depending on the employer type, with school districts typically offering lower compensation than hospital or skilled nursing facility positions, where incentives like health insurance may justify a lower hourly rate. Speech-language pathologists should carefully consider their negotiation strategies, focusing on the balance between higher pay and comprehensive benefits, especially in an evolving job market with growing demand for telepractice options.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Bloomington in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Bloomington?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in Bloomington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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