Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Rock Island, IL: $39.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Rock Island, IL runs $39.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,605 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Rock Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,966 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Island, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for speech-language pathologists is set at $39.24, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $48.93. This difference means that professionals working part-time, such as those with a three-days-a-week schedule, might find themselves earning around $1,254 per week (or about $65,158 annually). The hourly wage ranges from $24.66 for entry-level positions to $50.82 for top earners, creating opportunities for various therapeutic settings, including school therapy rooms, hospital bedside assessments, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), AAC device evaluations, and telepractice environments. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, indicating how competitive the field will be in Rock Island relative to national standards.
About the Rock Island 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) | $24.66 | $197.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.74 | $261.89 |
| Median (P50) | $39.24 | $313.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.71 | $357.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.82 | $406.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rock Island
Based on $39.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.24/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rock Island, IL can expect to earn approximately $81,610 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,083. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rock Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rock Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,569.42 | $6,801 | $81,610 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $941.65 | $4,080 | $48,966 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $627.77 | $2,720 | $32,644 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Rock Island) | $39.24 |
| 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 Rock Island, IL earn a median of $81,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.82% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $85,720.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.24/hr = $48,966/year (purchasing power: $50,428).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,610/year (purchasing power: $84,047).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Rock Island grew 23.7% from $30.50/hr (2019) to $37.73/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.80/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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island
A speech-language pathologist employed part-time, working approximately 24 hours a week, could expect to take home significantly less compared to full-time colleagues. For instance, a 3-day workweek would net them roughly $51,386 annually, compared to a full-time professional who draws a full salary of $81,605. On the other hand, per diem speech-language pathologist pay in Rock Island can vary widely—often billed at $50-$75 per hour in school districts or even higher in medical settings, where rates for dysphagia assessments can reach $80-$110 per hour. Factors influencing hourly rates include the specific employer type, with educational institutions generally offering lower rates compared to hospitals and private practices. Some SLPs may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, whereas others seeking flexibility might gravitate toward higher hourly rates without benefits in per-diem roles. Negotiation can be critical; emphasizing experience and specific specialty skills, especially in medical SLP roles, can help secure better pay in a competitive market like Rock Island.
More salary data for Rock Island, 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 Rock Island. 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 Rock Island 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