Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Sioux Falls, SD: $34.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Sioux Falls, SD runs $34.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,670 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Sioux Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,996 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, the speech-language pathologist hourly pay is projected at $34.45 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $48.93. This disparity means that for part-time SLPs working three days a week, or filling per-diem positions, the financial landscape is quite different than in many other regions. Professionals in this field typically find work in diverse settings such as therapy rooms in schools, outpatient clinics focusing on articulation, and telepractice environments that have grown in popularity. The hourly wages range from $25.14 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $51.56 for more experienced practitioners, providing a variety of opportunities within this profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect the realities of working in Sioux Falls.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.14 | $201.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.11 | $240.84 |
| Median (P50) | $34.45 | $275.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.97 | $335.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.56 | $412.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux Falls
Based on $34.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.45/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux Falls, SD can expect to earn approximately $71,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,342. With a cost-of-living index of 90.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,378.08 | $5,972 | $71,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $826.85 | $3,583 | $42,996 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $551.23 | $2,389 | $28,664 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Sioux Falls) | $34.45 |
| 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 Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $71,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.58% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 24.10% below the South Dakota state average of $94,427.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.45/hr = $42,996/year (purchasing power: $47,441).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,660/year (purchasing power: $79,068).
CoL index: 90.631 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Sioux Falls grew 20.3% from $27.54/hr (2019) to $33.13/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.83/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 Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls
Considering part-time options, a speech-language pathologist working 24 hours a week would earn around $52,000 annually, compared to full-time professionals who earn more. Per diem positions can offer higher compensation; for instance, these SLPs may command between $50 and $75 per hour, whereas specialized medical SLPs focusing on conditions like dysphagia can earn between $80 and $110 an hour in cash practices. The pay can greatly vary depending on the employer type in Sioux Falls, from school districts to hospitals and private practices. Additionally, SLPs may face a trade-off between a lower hourly wage that includes health benefits versus a higher rate that lacks these perks. Those negotiating hourly rates should consider market demand and factor in their specialties, as well as the implications of contract versus full-time positions, particularly with the rising interest in telepractice roles.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls. 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