Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $84,350 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $84,350/year (≈ $40.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $86,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 stands at $84,350, distinctly lower than the national median of $101,775. This disparity highlights the structural divide within the profession, particularly between those working in school settings and those in medical facilities. The salary range for local speech-language pathologists varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $57,088 at the 10th percentile and top-tier professionals reaching up to $116,875 at the 90th percentile. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price adjustments. Given this salary framework, professionals navigating the job market in Arlington Heights must consider the nature of their employment, as school contracts often differ from year-round positions in medical settings, impacting annual earnings.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,088 | $27.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,519 | $32.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,865 | $48.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,875 | $56.19 |
Median Salary Position
17.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,787 (2026 est.). At $84,350, the local median is 17.12% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $84,350/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,722 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.12% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $84,350 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.12% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $85,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,350 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,869 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,574
2025 BLS Actual
$81,114
2026 Current Est.
$84,350
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,574 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,524 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,003 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,178 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,114 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,350 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $65,574 (2019) to $81,114 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,142 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,088 – $68,519 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,519 – $84,350 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,350 – $99,865 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,865 – $116,875 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Arlington Heights
In the Arlington Heights employment landscape, 18 speech-language pathologists are currently practicing, contributing to a tight-knit community within the field. With a cost of living index of 97.1, the local economic conditions mean that take-home wages may stretch further compared to higher-cost areas. Many school districts dominate the employment scene, yet it is the hospital inpatient rehab centers and skilled nursing facilities that typically offer superior pay scales. A major factor influencing salary variations is the setting of employment; SLPs in medical environments tend to command higher wages, especially when board specialty certifications incentivize additional pay. Likewise, bilingual speech-language pathologists often receive bonuses, enhancing their overall compensation. For those considering how to maximize pay in Arlington Heights, seeking opportunities in higher-paying medical settings or pursuing telepractice roles—where hourly rates can be competitive—may yield favorable results.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Arlington Heights?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,114 for speech-language pathologistsin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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