Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Peoria, IL: $85,334 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Peoria, IL earns a median $85,334/year (≈ $41.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $93,536 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the projected annual compensation for a speech-language pathologist in Peoria, Illinois, is pegged at $85,334. This figure is notable as it reflects a deviation from the national median of $101,775, indicative of lower local pay scales relative to the broader market context. Within Peoria, salaries vary widely, ranging from $59,607 at the 10th percentile to $108,087 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the structural divide in the profession, particularly between those working in school settings versus medical environments. The distinct contract systems—school-year positions versus year-round commitments—further influence earning potential, making it essential for prospective and current speech-language pathologists to strategically navigate their career paths within the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,607 | $28.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,406 | $32.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,334 | $41.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,753 | $49.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,087 | $51.96 |
Median Salary Position
16.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,480 (2026 est.). At $85,334, the local median is 16.15% below the national median of $101,775.
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How Peoria Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Peoria median: $85,334/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,677 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.15% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Peoria, IL earn a median of $85,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.15% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $85,677.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,334 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,536 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,990
2025 BLS Actual
$82,060
2026 Current Est.
$85,334
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,334 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 15.6% from $70,990 (2019) to $82,060 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,749 (25.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $59,607 – $67,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,406 – $85,334 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,334 – $102,753 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,753 – $108,087 |
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 Peoria
In Peoria, the job market for speech-language pathologists comprises about 210 professionals, illustrating a solid demand for expertise in this field. The cost of living in the area is notably favorable, with a cost-of-living index of 91.231, enhancing the purchasing power of residents relative to national averages. Pay scales vary significantly across different employment settings; for instance, school districts tend to offer lower salaries than medical facilities such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, which often emphasize fiscal compensation for specialized skills like dysphagia management. Additionally, the rise of telepractice post-2020 has enabled flexibility in work arrangements, although this can lead to a spectrum of hourly rates depending on whether a clinician is operating as a 1099 worker. To maximize earnings in Peoria, SLPs may consider honing in on specialized certifications that add value or exploring opportunities in bilingual services, as these can command higher compensation in various markets.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 $82,060 for speech-language pathologistsin the Peoria 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