Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Aurora, IL: $84,642 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Aurora, IL earns a median $84,642/year (≈ $40.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $87,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual speech-language pathologist salary in Aurora, Illinois, stands at $84,642, reflecting a notable dip of approximately 16.83% when compared to the national median of $101,775. Salary ranges indicate a broad spectrum of compensation, from $53,996 at the 10th percentile to $116,807 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, along with adjustments for the regional cost of living, highlight significant market dynamics. Particularly, SLPs with a specialization in dysphagia and other medical settings are positioned to command higher salaries. With 44 speech-language pathologists employed in Aurora, the job market offers various opportunities, although competition and salary disparities are evident based on settings and specialties.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,996 | $25.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,603 | $31.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,642 | $40.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,533 | $47.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,807 | $56.15 |
Median Salary Position
16.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,811 (2026 est.). At $84,642, the local median is 16.83% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Aurora median: $84,642/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,756 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.83% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Aurora, IL earn a median of $84,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.83% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora 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.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,642 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,170 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,800
2025 BLS Actual
$81,394
2026 Current Est.
$84,642
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,932 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,975 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,258 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,462 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,394 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,642 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $65,800 (2019) to $81,394 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,219 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $53,996 – $64,603 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,603 – $84,642 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,642 – $99,533 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,533 – $116,807 |
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 Aurora
Turning to the local job market, Aurora’s cost of living index of 97.1 suggests that while salaries might be lower than the national average, purchasing power isn’t as heavily impacted as it would be in more costly areas. Among regional employers, those in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest wages, particularly for SLPs working with dysphagia patients. This reflects the premium associated with advanced medical skills versus roles in school districts or private practice. Factors influencing the salary range include contract type—year-round positions typically offer more stability compared to school-year contracts—and potential stipends for board certification or bilingual capabilities, which can further enhance earnings. To maximize pay, pursuing additional certifications, engaging in telepractice opportunities, and negotiating contracts effectively are crucial strategies for navigating the Aurora job market for speech-language pathologists.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Aurora?
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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 $81,394 for speech-language pathologistsin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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