Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Ottumwa, IA: $37.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Ottumwa, IA runs $37.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,830 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Ottumwa's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,292 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ottumwa, Iowa, speech-language pathologists earn a median hourly rate of $37.89, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.93. This rate provides a reasonable income for part-time professionals, allowing those working three days a week to earn a substantial living while balancing their schedules, particularly in educational or clinical settings such as school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, or telepractice sessions. The hourly pay ranges from $27.02 for entry-level positions to $49.06 for the top earners. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the general earnings landscape for speech-language pathologists in Ottumwa and highlighting the economic differences within the profession based on experience and ideal work environments.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.02 | $216.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.55 | $252.40 |
| Median (P50) | $37.89 | $303.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.31 | $346.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.06 | $392.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ottumwa
Based on $37.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.89/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ottumwa, IA can expect to earn approximately $78,819 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,473. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ottumwa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ottumwa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,515.76 | $6,568 | $78,819 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $909.45 | $3,941 | $47,292 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $606.30 | $2,627 | $31,528 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Ottumwa) | $37.89 |
| 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 Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $78,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.54% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $84,763.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.89/hr = $47,292/year (purchasing power: $52,314).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,819/year (purchasing power: $87,190).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Ottumwa grew 23.7% from $29.46/hr (2019) to $36.44/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.41/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 Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa
Looking deeper into the earning potential, a part-time speech-language pathologist working 24 hours per week can expect to make around $47,145 annually. This figure is significantly lower compared to full-time counterparts, who benefit from higher overall compensation and potentially better job security. Meanwhile, per diem speech-language pathologist pay in Ottumwa can frequently range between $50-$75 per hour, with specialized medical settings like dysphagia practices paying upwards of $80-$110 per hour. Differences in employer types significantly affect hourly rates, with school districts generally offering lower compensation compared to hospitals or private practices. While some SLPs may accept lower hourly rates for the benefits offered by full-time positions, others may choose opportunities with better pay but without health insurance. For those negotiating hourly wages, focusing on benefits and caseload management when discussing terms can be advantageous in achieving a fair hourly pay rate in this competitive field.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Ottumwa in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Ottumwa?
Are speech-language pathologists in Ottumwa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Ottumwa?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Ottumwa?
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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 Ottumwa. 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 Ottumwa 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