Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $35.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Rapid City, SD runs $35.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,550 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,735 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the speech-language pathologist hourly pay is projected to be $35.85 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $48.93 per hour. This hourly rate creates different earning potential for both part-time SLPs, who might work three days a week, and per-diem workers. In typical settings like school therapy rooms, hospital bedside dysphagia evaluations, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and telepractice, professionals can expect to earn anywhere from $32.14 to $49.72 per hour, reflecting the entry-level to top earners in the region. Official BLS figures indicate that with 80 speech-language pathologists currently employed in Rapid City, the local market dynamics will influence these rates as they vary by the specific environment and the nature of the position.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.14 | $257.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.14 | $257.15 |
| Median (P50) | $35.85 | $286.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.24 | $329.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.72 | $397.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $35.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.85/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $74,558 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,014. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,433.81 | $6,213 | $74,558 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $860.29 | $3,728 | $44,735 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.53 | $2,485 | $29,823 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Rapid City) | $35.85 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $74,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.75% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 21.10% below the South Dakota state average of $94,487.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.85/hr = $44,735/year (purchasing power: $50,174).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,558/year (purchasing power: $83,623).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Rapid City grew 4.5% from $32.99/hr (2019) to $34.47/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.28/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 Rapid 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 Rapid City
For a part-time speech-language pathologist working 24 hours a week, translating the hourly rate into an annual context yields different financial prospects compared to full-time employment. Per-diem and agency-based SLPs often command higher rates, commonly billing between $50 and $75 per hour, while specialized medical SLPs addressing dysphagia can demand $80 to $110 per hour, particularly for cash practices. Hourly earnings fluctuate across employer types in Rapid City, with schools typically offering lower pay compared to outpatient pediatric clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and private practices that may affix a premium due to the specialized nature of their work. This variability often leads professionals to weigh the benefits of secure employment with health insurance versus the allure of higher hourly pay in contract roles without benefits. When negotiating, it’s advantageous to clearly understand the specifics of each role and articulate the value of one's skillset based on the unique demands of the local job market in South Dakota.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Rapid City in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Rapid City?
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How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Rapid City?
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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 Rapid 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
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