Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Plainfield, IL: $82,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Plainfield, IL earns a median $82,880/year (≈ $39.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $85,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plainfield, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2026 is $82,880. This figure indicates a notable disparity compared to the national median of $101,775, reflecting an approximately 18.57% difference. The salary range in this area runs between $57,861 at the 10th percentile and $111,843 at the 90th percentile, and these estimates take into account local cost-of-living adjustments. A significant factor influencing this salary variation is the divide between those working in educational settings and their counterparts in medical environments. School-based positions typically limit earnings to a school-year contract, while medical settings often provide year-round opportunities, thereby offering the potential for higher compensation throughout the entire year.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,861 | $27.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,641 | $33.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,916 | $46.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,843 | $53.77 |
Median Salary Position
18.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,982 (2026 est.). At $82,880, the local median is 18.57% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $82,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,708 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.57% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Plainfield, IL earn a median of $82,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.57% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,708.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield 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.
Plainfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,880 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,355 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,431
2025 BLS Actual
$79,700
2026 Current Est.
$82,880
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,431 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,539 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,382 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,713 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,745 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,187 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,431 (2019) to $79,700 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,756 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $57,861 – $68,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,641 – $82,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,880 – $96,916 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,916 – $111,843 |
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 Plainfield
Currently, there are 11 speech-language pathologists employed in Plainfield, indicating a niche job market that can affect both competition and salary levels. The cost of living index in the area stands at 97.1, suggesting that despite the lower salaries compared to national averages, purchasing power remains relatively stable. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, outpatient pediatric clinics, and skilled nursing facilities—positions in these settings prioritize clinical skills, particularly in dysphagia management. Various factors create a salary range, including the type of setting, year-round versus school-year contracts, and incentives for board specialty certification. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, roles in telepractice or private practice may offer greater flexibility and potentially higher hourly rates, especially for bilingual clinicians, making Plainfield a competitive environment for skilled speech-language pathologists.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $79,700 for speech-language pathologistsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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