Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $48.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Rockford, IL runs $48.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,600 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,360 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is projected to be $48.37 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $48.93. This pay rate can provide significant benefits for part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week, who can earn a consistent income while balancing personal commitments. Many speech-language pathologists operate in diverse environments such as school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and telepractice settings, where the hourly rate can directly influence their work-life balance. The hourly pay ranges from $32.16 for entry-level positions to $53.23 for seasoned professionals, offering varied compensation depending on experience and specialization. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, highlighting both the local demand and the financial viability of pursuing a career in speech-language pathology within the state.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.16 | $257.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.29 | $314.30 |
| Median (P50) | $48.37 | $386.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.90 | $415.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.23 | $425.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $48.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.37/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $100,601 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,039. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,934.63 | $8,383 | $100,601 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,160.78 | $5,030 | $60,360 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $773.85 | $3,353 | $40,240 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Rockford) | $48.37 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $100,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 17.40% above the Illinois state average of $85,690.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.37/hr = $60,360/year (purchasing power: $65,500).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,601/year (purchasing power: $109,166).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Rockford grew 32.5% from $35.10/hr (2019) to $46.51/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.30/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Analysis of the potential earnings reveals that a speech-language pathologist working part-time, clocking in around 24 hours weekly, could take home approximately $56,200 annually, in contrast to full-time salaries which can exceed $100,600. Per diem opportunities in Rockford are particularly lucrative, with agency or locum speech-language pathologists often billing between $50 and $75 per hour; those specializing in medical settings, especially dysphagia evaluations, can command rates from $80 to $110 per hour. The pay scale varies notably across different employers—school districts typically offer lower hourly rates compared to inpatient rehab facilities and specialized private practices. It is essential for SLPs to assess the benefits versus the hourly rate when considering job offers, as positions providing health insurance may come with slightly lower wages. For negotiations, aspiring professionals should research local pay standards and consider the value of additional benefits to make informed decisions about their career paths in Rockford, IL.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. 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