Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Chicago, IL: $102,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Chicago, IL earns a median $102,420/year (≈ $49.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $98,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals in the field of speech-language pathology in Chicago can expect a median annual salary of $102,420, which is slightly above the national figure of $101,775. This market demonstrates a broad salary range, with entry-level positions starting at around $64,963 and more experienced practitioners, especially those specialized in medical settings such as dysphagia treatment, earning up to $129,364. The data presented is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, and highlights the strong demand for services in this metropolitan area, particularly in settings linked to healthcare and rehabilitation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,963 | $31.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,071 | $38.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,015 | $54.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,364 | $62.20 |
Median Salary Position
0.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,401 (2026 est.). At $102,420, the local median is 0.63% above the national median of $101,775.
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How Chicago Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $102,420/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,707 | +19.50% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +0.63% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $102,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.63% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 19.50% above the Illinois state average of $85,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,420 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,866 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,040
2025 BLS Actual
$98,490
2026 Current Est.
$102,420
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,506 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 24.6% from $79,040 (2019) to $98,490 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,466 (34.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $64,963 – $81,071 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,071 – $102,420 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,420 – $114,015 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,015 – $129,364 |
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 Chicago
With approximately 7,150 speech-language pathologists working in Chicago, the job market remains robust, though the cost-of-living index of 103.595 suggests that a higher take-home pay is necessary for maintaining an equivalent purchasing power. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive salaries among various settings, including schools, early intervention programs, and private practices. The substantial pay differential reflects the different environments SLPs operate in, with medical specialties generally providing higher compensation than school roles. For professionals seeking to maximize their earnings in Chicago, pursuing board certification or focusing on bilingual therapy can be advantageous, as such qualifications can command higher hourly rates, potentially reaching up to $62.20 in certain telepractice roles or specialty settings.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $98,490 for speech-language pathologistsin the Chicago 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