Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Des Plaines, IL: $39.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Des Plaines, IL runs $39.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,864 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Des Plaines's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,719 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, Illinois, a speech-language pathologist earns a median hourly rate of $39.84, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.93. This discrepancy indicates that local per diem speech-language pathologist pay in Des Plaines may be less competitive compared to other regions. For professionals working part-time, such as those in school therapy rooms or clinic settings, a typical schedule of three days a week could yield a gross income that provides stability, with pay scaling from $25.84 for entry-level positions to as high as $53.80 for experienced practitioners. Whether conducting assessments in outpatient settings, providing dysphagia evaluations at hospitals, or engaging in telepractice sessions, these hourly rates reflect a snapshot of the local market based on estimated annual data.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.84 | $206.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.66 | $245.25 |
| Median (P50) | $39.84 | $318.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.33 | $370.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.80 | $430.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Plaines
Based on $39.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.84/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Plaines, IL can expect to earn approximately $82,864 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,806. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Plaines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Plaines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,593.54 | $6,905 | $82,864 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $956.13 | $4,143 | $49,719 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $637.42 | $2,762 | $33,146 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Des Plaines) | $39.84 |
| 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 Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $82,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.58% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,692.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.84/hr = $49,719/year (purchasing power: $51,203).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,864/year (purchasing power: $85,339).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Des Plaines grew 23.7% from $30.97/hr (2019) to $38.31/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.43/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 Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
Breaking down the earning potential, part-time speech-language pathologists working 24 hours per week could take home approximately $49,668 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts. The reality for per-diem or locum tenens SLPs in the area is quite different; they often see billing rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia exceeding $80 to $110 per hour in some cash practices. Location greatly influences pay; those employed in school districts, which represent about 55% of SLP roles, may earn less than their hospital or skilled nursing facility peers. Many SLPs find themselves weighing the benefits of lower hourly rates in school positions against higher earnings in private practice that lack traditional benefits. When negotiating pay in Des Plaines, it is advisable for professionals to highlight their specialized skills and be prepared to discuss the value they bring to diverse clinical settings.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Des Plaines in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Des Plaines?
Are speech-language pathologists in Des Plaines paid hourly or salary?
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Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Des Plaines?
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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 Des Plaines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Plaines 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