Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Kankakee, IL: $38.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Kankakee, IL runs $38.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,291 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Kankakee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,174 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Kankakee's speech-language pathologists earn a median hourly rate of $38.60, which falls below the national median of $48.93. This disparity can influence part-time opportunities, as those working just three days a week could find their earnings limited when compared to full-time peers. Per-diem positions, often preferred for flexibility, can vary in pay depending on the setting—be it in school therapy rooms, hospitals for dysphagia evaluations, or outpatient clinics for articulation therapy. The hourly compensation for entry-level positions starts around $24.50, while the top earners can reach $56.91. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provides a comprehensive picture of the current compensation landscape for speech-language pathologists in Kankakee.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.50 | $196.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.96 | $239.68 |
| Median (P50) | $38.60 | $308.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.33 | $394.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.91 | $455.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kankakee
Based on $38.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.60/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kankakee, IL can expect to earn approximately $80,290 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,321. With a cost-of-living index of 96.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kankakee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kankakee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,544.04 | $6,691 | $80,290 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $926.43 | $4,015 | $48,174 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $617.62 | $2,676 | $32,116 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Kankakee) | $38.60 |
| 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 Kankakee, IL earn a median of $80,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.11% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,689.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.60/hr = $48,174/year (purchasing power: $49,976).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,290/year (purchasing power: $83,294).
CoL index: 96.394 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Kankakee grew 7.1% from $34.65/hr (2019) to $37.12/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.14/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 Kankakee 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 Kankakee
Turning to the earning potential for part-time SLPs, working 24 hours a week could yield substantial differences in annual income compared to full-time roles. Many part-time speech-language pathologists may find their take-home pay considerably varied, especially if they choose to engage in per-diem or agency roles, where pay can reach $50 to $75 an hour for standard practice, with medical positions commanding even higher rates between $80 and $110. Telepractice roles have also expanded significantly since 2020, offering remuneration of $40 to $60 per hour based on caseloads. Within Kankakee, hourly rates fluctuate depending on the employer type; for instance, school districts often offer lower rates compared to hospital settings, but full-time employment in schools typically includes benefits not available in higher hourly positions. Negotiation strategies should reflect these dynamics, balancing hourly pay against the advantages of health benefits and job security, especially for recent graduates navigating their CFY year or seasoned professionals aiming for longevity in their careers as CCC-SLPs.
More salary data for Kankakee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Kankakee in 2026?
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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 Kankakee. 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