Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Garden City, MI: $42.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Garden City, MI runs $42.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,113 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,872 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Garden City, MI, the projected speech-language pathologist hourly pay stands at $42.37, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $48.93. This hourly wage opens several avenues for part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists who often operate in diverse settings such as school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and telepractice. A professional working part-time at three days a week would earn approximately $1,276 weekly, a realistic goal considering the hourly range runs from $26.59 for entry-level positions to $57.50 for top earners. The variety in settings also influences compensation; roles in school districts and early intervention programs may hover around the lower end of the scale, while medical SLPs conducting dysphagia evaluations often secure rates near the top of the range.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.59 | $212.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.37 | $282.94 |
| Median (P50) | $42.37 | $338.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.83 | $398.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.50 | $459.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $42.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.37/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, MI can expect to earn approximately $88,120 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,839. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,694.62 | $7,343 | $88,120 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,016.77 | $4,406 | $52,872 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.85 | $2,937 | $35,248 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Garden City) | $42.37 |
| 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 Garden City, MI earn a median of $88,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.42% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.80% below the Michigan state average of $90,651.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.37/hr = $52,872/year (purchasing power: $56,730).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,120/year (purchasing power: $94,550).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Garden City grew 23.7% from $32.94/hr (2019) to $40.74/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.06/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 Garden 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 Garden City
Evaluating income potential reveals significant differences between part-time SLP roles and full-time positions. For example, a speech-language pathologist working just 24 hours a week could take home about $61,292 annually, compared to full-time earnings approaching $88,113. Per diem speech-language pathologists can command higher rates, billing between $50 and $75 per hour. In specialized areas, like medical settings focusing on dysphagia, rates can rise to between $80 and $110 per hour. Employer types in Garden City also influence pay; those in school districts may earn less than their counterparts in private practice or teletherapy settings. Some clinicians opt for lower hourly rates when full-time benefits are included, while others prefer higher pay without benefits. To negotiate effectively, SLPs should highlight their specialized training and adapt to local market conditions to secure better compensation for their skills.
More salary data for Garden City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Garden City in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Garden City?
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Related Pages
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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 Garden 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
Salary data for Garden City 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