Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Normal, IL: $39.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Normal, IL runs $39.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,102 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Normal's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,861 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For a speech-language pathologist in Normal, Illinois, the hourly pay is projected to be $39.95 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $48.93. This discrepancy can impact part-time SLPs working three days a week, potentially making it less enticing for those seeking flexible schedules in settings such as school therapy rooms and outpatient clinics. The hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in Normal can range widely, from approximately $24.94 at the entry-level (P10) to $54.18 for experienced professionals in the field. These figures are derived from estimates based on the annual salaries and reflect the variances one might encounter depending on the work environment, such as hospitals or telepractice virtual sessions.
About the Normal 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) | $24.94 | $199.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.87 | $247.00 |
| Median (P50) | $39.95 | $319.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.60 | $372.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.18 | $433.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Normal
Based on $39.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.95/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Normal, IL can expect to earn approximately $83,102 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,944. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Normal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Normal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,598.12 | $6,925 | $83,102 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $958.87 | $4,155 | $49,861 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $639.25 | $2,770 | $33,241 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Normal) | $39.95 |
| 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 Normal, IL earn a median of $83,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.35% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $85,672.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.95/hr = $49,861/year (purchasing power: $51,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,102/year (purchasing power: $85,584).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Normal grew 23.7% from $31.06/hr (2019) to $38.42/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.55/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 Normal 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 Normal
The earning potential for part-time speech-language pathologists in Normal can be quite distinct from their full-time counterparts. For example, when working 24 hours a week, an SLP may end up pulling in over $49,157 annually, compared to the full-time income for a dedicated position, which can be upward of $83,102. Per diem positions are particularly lucrative, with SLPs often billing anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour; medical SLPs specializing in dysphagia may command an even higher hourly rate of $80 to $110 in cash-based practices. Employment as an SLP can vary greatly by setting: school districts often provide lower pay compared to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, where the demand for specialized therapy is higher. For those in Normal looking to negotiate hourly rates, it is essential to consider the trade-offs between obtaining health benefits in lower-paying positions versus the appeal of higher hourly earnings that come without benefits, a common scenario in flexible work arrangements like telepractice.
More salary data for Normal, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Normal. 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 Normal 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