Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Park Ridge, IL: $39.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Park Ridge, IL runs $39.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,414 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Park Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,446 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Park Ridge, Illinois, a speech-language pathologist can expect a median hourly pay of $39.62 as of 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $48.93, reflecting the regional factors that can influence compensation. For professionals considering part-time or per-diem opportunities, such as working three days a week, this rate translates to different financial scenarios depending on settings like school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, or telepractice sessions. The hourly range for speech-language pathologists in the area extends from $27.46 for those at the 10th percentile to $53.03 for top earners, covering entry-level practitioners and those with more experience. These estimates are derived from projected annual salaries, illustrating the financial landscape for those entering or progressing in this essential healthcare field.
About the Park Ridge 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) | $27.46 | $219.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.55 | $260.39 |
| Median (P50) | $39.62 | $316.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.58 | $356.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.03 | $424.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Park Ridge
Based on $39.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.62/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Park Ridge, IL can expect to earn approximately $82,410 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,544. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Park Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Park Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,584.81 | $6,867 | $82,410 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.88 | $4,120 | $49,446 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.92 | $2,747 | $32,964 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Park Ridge) | $39.62 |
| 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 Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $82,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.02% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $85,670.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.62/hr = $49,446/year (purchasing power: $50,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,410/year (purchasing power: $84,871).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Park Ridge grew 23.7% from $30.80/hr (2019) to $38.10/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.20/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 Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge
Considering a part-time position at 24 hours a week, a speech-language pathologist in Park Ridge can bring in around $49,551 annually, which still falls short of a full-time professional's income. For those operating as per diem or agency providers, the compensation can significantly vary, with rates often ranging from $50 to $75 an hour, and specialized medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia earning between $80 and $110 per hour in cash practices. The differences in hourly pay reflect not only the type of employer—school districts often pay less compared to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities—but also the trade-off between benefits and pay rates; some might choose lower hourly rates for job security and insurance. When negotiating hourly pay in Park Ridge, it’s constructive to understand these dynamics and leverage experience or specialization, particularly in high-demand areas like telepractice, which has seen substantial growth post-2020.
More salary data for Park Ridge, 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 Park Ridge. 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 Park Ridge 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