Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Rockford, IL: $100,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Rockford, IL earns a median $100,600/year (≈ $48.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $109,165 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.4% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, speech-language pathologists benefit from a median annual salary of $100,600 in 2026, which is slightly less than the national median of $101,775. This salary range, spanning from $66,897 at the 10th percentile to $110,708 at the 90th percentile, reflects diverse opportunities in the local market for those specializing in medical speech-language pathology, particularly dysphagia-focused roles. According to official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data, this growth in compensation aligns with the increasing demand for SLPs, especially in clinical settings where expertise in medical conditions markedly elevates earning potential. Rockford’s landscape is shaped by a balance of school district positions alongside medical and pediatric services, which together drive the variability in compensation among professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,897 | $32.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,726 | $39.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,962 | $51.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,708 | $53.23 |
Median Salary Position
1.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,811 (2026 est.). At $100,600, the local median is 1.15% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Rockford Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Rockford median: $100,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,690 | +17.40% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -1.15% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Rockford, IL earn a median of $100,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 17.40% above the Illinois state average of $85,690.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $100,600 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,165 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,000
2025 BLS Actual
$96,740
2026 Current Est.
$100,600
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 32.5% from $73,000 (2019) to $96,740 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,614 (43.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $66,897 – $81,726 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,726 – $100,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,600 – $107,962 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,962 – $110,708 |
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 Rockford
With approximately 190 speech-language pathologists working in Rockford, the local job market presents a stable environment for professionals entering the field. The cost-of-living index at 92.154 suggests that salaries in Rockford offer a favorable take-home purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehab facilities and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, while school districts, which account for a significant portion of local employment, may provide a different pay scale reflective of academic calendars and funding. Factors influencing the disparity between low and high salaries include the work setting—medical practices tend to pay more than those in schools—contract types, and specialty certifications, such as bilingual capabilities. New SLPs in Rockford can strategically enhance their pay by considering year-round positions in medical facilities or telepractice opportunities, which have seen exponential growth since 2020.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $96,740 for speech-language pathologistsin the Rockford 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