Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Joliet, IL: $85,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Joliet, IL earns a median $85,162/year (≈ $40.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $87,705 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For speech-language pathologists in Joliet, Illinois, a robust earning potential exists, with a projected median annual salary of $85,162 in 2026. This figure reflects a notable difference when compared to the national median of $101,775, indicating a 16.32% lower rate locally. The broad salary range of $55,128 at the 10th percentile to $118,567 at the 90th percentile highlights significant variability in compensation. Factors contributing to differences in pay include the subspecialization in dysphagia and medical speech-language pathology, which often command higher rates. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, underscore the competitive yet nuanced job market for speech-language pathologists in this area.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,128 | $26.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,452 | $32.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,162 | $40.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,763 | $48.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,567 | $57.01 |
Median Salary Position
16.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,439 (2026 est.). At $85,162, the local median is 16.32% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Joliet median: $85,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,676 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.32% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Joliet, IL earn a median of $85,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.32% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $85,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,162 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,705 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,205
2025 BLS Actual
$81,894
2026 Current Est.
$85,162
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,205 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,343 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,154 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,405 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,715 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,968 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,894 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $66,205 (2019) to $81,894 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,355 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $55,128 – $67,452 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,452 – $85,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,162 – $100,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,763 – $118,567 |
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 Joliet
On the ground, Joliet's job market hosts approximately 25 speech-language pathologists, reflecting steady demand in both educational and clinical settings. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, professionals may find that their salaries provide relatively accessible purchasing power in comparison with national averages. Among local employers, those in medical settings such as inpatient rehab hospitals generally offer the highest wages, while school districts, which employ about 55% of SLPs, typically provide more stable year-round contracts at lower rates. The difference in compensation is often driven by varied settings—medical roles generally pay more than private practice or school positions. To maximize earning potential in Joliet, pursuing certification in board specialties, exploring telepractice roles, and considering bilingual capabilities can significantly boost salary opportunities, especially as the market continues to evolve.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $81,894 for speech-language pathologistsin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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