Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Mitchell, SD: $43.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Mitchell, SD runs $43.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,906 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Mitchell's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,949 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mitchell, South Dakota, the projected median hourly pay for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $43.23, putting it below the national median hourly rate of $48.93. This means that for therapy sessions held in diverse environments—such as school therapy rooms, hospital bedside dysphagia evaluations, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and even through telepractice—part-time workers can still find competitive compensation. For SLPs working in settings typical of Mitchell, hourly rates range from $28.82 for entry-level positions up to $55.23 for the most experienced practitioners. These hourly figures are derived from the annual salary estimates, providing a solid framework for understanding the earning potential in this essential field.
About the Mitchell Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.82 | $230.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.54 | $276.28 |
| Median (P50) | $43.23 | $345.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.96 | $391.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.23 | $441.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mitchell
Based on $43.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.23/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mitchell, SD can expect to earn approximately $89,916 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,874. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mitchell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mitchell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,729.15 | $7,493 | $89,916 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,037.49 | $4,496 | $53,949 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $691.66 | $2,997 | $35,966 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Mitchell) | $43.23 |
| 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 Mitchell, SD earn a median of $89,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.80% below the South Dakota state average of $94,439.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.23/hr = $53,949/year (purchasing power: $58,135).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,916/year (purchasing power: $96,892).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Mitchell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Mitchell grew 23.7% from $33.61/hr (2019) to $41.57/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.95/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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell
Earning potential varies significantly for those pursuing part-time or per-diem opportunities. A speech-language pathologist working three days a week might bring home around $33,900 annually, compared to $89,906 for full-time professionals. Per-diem speech-language pathologists in Mitchell often command fees between $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized medical roles focusing on dysphagia potentially yielding between $80 to $110 per hour in cash practices. When examining employment types, district schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and telepractice agencies offer different compensation levels that can affect overall income. Some SLPs accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others might prefer more flexible, higher-paying per-diem contracts without benefits. Negotiating hourly rates can benefit from understanding the unique needs of local employers and being prepared to justify compensation based on experience and specialization.
More salary data for Mitchell, SD:
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 Mitchell. 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 Mitchell 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