Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Champaign, IL: $85,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Champaign, IL earns a median $85,865/year (≈ $41.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $92,623 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Champaign, IL is projected to be $85,865, which reflects a notable disparity compared to the national median of $101,775. This compensation range spans from $62,269 at the 10th percentile to $125,911 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant variations in pay depending on specialty and employment setting. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures underscore the distinct divide between school-based SLPs, who often work under a school-year contract, and those in medical environments, such as hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, where year-round employment is more common. As Champaign navigates the intricate dynamics of this profession, the local job market remains robust, with ample opportunities available for both new graduates and seasoned professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,269 | $29.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,831 | $33.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,865 | $41.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,973 | $51.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,911 | $60.53 |
Median Salary Position
15.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,642 (2026 est.). At $85,865, the local median is 15.63% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Champaign Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Champaign median: $85,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,693 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -15.63% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Champaign, IL earn a median of $85,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.63% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $85,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign has a cost of living 7.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.704 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,865 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,623 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,970
2025 BLS Actual
$82,570
2026 Current Est.
$85,865
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,291 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 25.2% from $65,970 (2019) to $82,570 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,291 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,321 (35.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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) | $62,269 – $68,831 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,831 – $85,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,865 – $107,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,973 – $125,911 |
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 Champaign
With around 150 speech-language pathologists employed locally, the job market in Champaign, IL demonstrates a solid demand for skilled professionals in this field. The area's cost-of-living index at 92.704 indicates that take-home pay stretches further than in many other regions, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite a lower salary range compared to national figures. Among the principal employers, school districts typically offer competitive pay packages but may lack the higher wages associated with hospital positions that focus on intensive therapies. Factors affecting the salary range include differences in employment settings, the prevalence of year-round contracts in medical facilities compared to the school-year models, and potential financial boosts for those with bilingual skills. Maximizing pay in Champaign may involve seeking out specific certifications or exploring telepractice opportunities, which have become increasingly popular since 2020, allowing SLPs greater flexibility in how they can capitalize on their expertise.
More salary data for Champaign, IL:
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
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 $82,570 for speech-language pathologistsin the Champaign 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
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