Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $42.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in St. Cloud, MN runs $42.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,433 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,054 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the projected median hourly pay for speech-language pathologists stands at $42.51, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.93. This rate provides insight into the earning potential for both full-time professionals and part-time workers, such as those who may operate in school therapy environments or perform bedside dysphagia evaluations in hospitals. With an hourly range from $30.80 at the entry-level to $54.74 for top earners, there are well-established opportunities across various settings, including outpatient clinics and telepractice sessions. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, provide a foundation for understanding compensation trends in this region.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.80 | $246.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.88 | $287.01 |
| Median (P50) | $42.51 | $340.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.63 | $413.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.74 | $437.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $42.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.51/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $88,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,013. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,700.44 | $7,369 | $88,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,020.27 | $4,421 | $53,054 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $680.18 | $2,947 | $35,369 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (St. Cloud) | $42.51 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $88,433 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.30% above the Minnesota state average of $87,298.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.51/hr = $53,054/year (purchasing power: $60,542).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,423/year (purchasing power: $100,903).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in St. Cloud grew 9.1% from $37.48/hr (2019) to $40.88/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.21/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
For those considering part-time work as a speech-language pathologist in St. Cloud, a typical 3-day workweek, amounting to approximately 24 hours, would yield an annual income significantly lower than full-time counterparts, even with the flexibility it offers. Per diem speech-language pathologist pay in St. Cloud often ranges from $50 to $75 per hour, especially in medical settings, where specialties like dysphagia can command rates as high as $80 to $110 hourly in cash practices. However, hourly rates may vary depending on the work environment; school districts generally offer lower salaries compared to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities where medical SLPs thrive. While some may choose positions with lower pay for the benefit of health insurance and job security, others may prefer higher-per-hour roles without benefits. Understanding these dynamics can aid in effective negotiation, particularly for those working on an hourly basis in St. Cloud, MN.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 St. Cloud. 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