Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $40.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Waterloo, IA runs $40.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,284 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,575 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, Iowa, speech-language pathologists can expect a median hourly rate of $40.52, which falls below the national median of $48.93. This hourly wage offers meaningful opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers. For example, a speech-language pathologist working three days a week could earn a substantial income while balancing their professional commitments with other pursuits. These professionals often find themselves in a variety of work settings, such as school therapy rooms, hospital environments for dysphagia evaluations, and outpatient clinics. The hourly pay range in Waterloo spans from $31.58 for entry-level positions to $51.54 for top earners, based on official BLS estimates, reflecting differing degrees of experience and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.58 | $252.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.76 | $270.04 |
| Median (P50) | $40.52 | $324.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.09 | $360.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.54 | $412.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $40.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.52/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $84,292 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,630. With a cost-of-living index of 87.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,621.00 | $7,024 | $84,292 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $972.60 | $4,215 | $50,575 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $648.40 | $2,810 | $33,717 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Waterloo) | $40.52 |
| 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 Waterloo, IA earn a median of $84,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.19% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $84,707.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.52/hr = $50,575/year (purchasing power: $58,094).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,292/year (purchasing power: $96,824).
CoL index: 87.057 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Waterloo grew 9.8% from $35.49/hr (2019) to $38.97/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.14/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Making a living as a part-time speech-language pathologist in Waterloo means calculating what a 24-hour work week translates to annually. Full-time positions can often provide financial stability through benefits, while part-time roles or per-diem positions might attract professionals seeking increased flexibility. Many per-diem speech-language pathologists command billing rates between $50 and $75 per hour, particularly in medical settings, where cash practices enable higher fees for dysphagia specialists, reaching $80 to $110 an hour. Employers such as school districts, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities will present variations in pay rates due to their respective funding structures and patient populations. For those negotiating hourly rates, understanding these market dynamics and prioritizing benefits versus pay can help SLPs secure favorable working arrangements that suit their career goals.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Waterloo?
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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 Waterloo. 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