Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Michigan City, IN: $39.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Michigan City, IN runs $39.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,412 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Michigan City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,446 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Michigan City, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay for speech-language pathologists stands at $39.62, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $48.93. This discrepancy may influence part-time and per-diem professionals, who typically work in settings such as school therapy rooms, hospital settings for dysphagia evaluations, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and telepractice environments. The hourly pay range for this field varies widely, starting from $25.87 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $53.81 for the most experienced practitioners. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data illustrates that while Michigan City offers opportunities, SLPs in the area might find it essential to consider various work settings to maximize their earning potential.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.87 | $206.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.20 | $249.58 |
| Median (P50) | $39.62 | $316.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.51 | $404.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.81 | $430.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Michigan City
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 Michigan City, IN 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 91.68 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Michigan City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Michigan City
| 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 (Michigan City) | $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 Michigan City, IN earn a median of $82,412 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.03% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.90% below the Indiana state average of $87,579.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.62/hr = $49,446/year (purchasing power: $53,932).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,410/year (purchasing power: $89,887).
CoL index: 91.682 (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 Michigan City (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 | $34.23/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 Michigan City 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 Michigan City 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 Michigan City
Part-time speech-language pathologists who work about 24 hours a week can take home a considerably lower annual salary than their full-time counterparts. In addition to regular employment, many SLPs seek per-diem opportunities where compensation can range from $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized medical SLPs focused on dysphagia commanding rates between $80 and $110 in cash practices. Telepractice has also gained traction, offering 1099 contracts that generally pay between $40 and $60 per hour, depending on case volumes. Realistically, salaries vary according to employer types. School districts often provide stable positions with benefits but may offer lower hourly pay compared to hospitals and private practices, where SLPs face trade-offs between financial compensation and health insurance. Negotiating pay can be pivotal in Michigan City, with SLPs advised to be aware of their worth in relation to the services they are providing and their market demand across different settings.
More salary data for Michigan City, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Michigan City in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Michigan City?
Are speech-language pathologists in Michigan City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Michigan City?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Michigan City?
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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 Michigan City. 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, 2-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