Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Springfield, IL: $85,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Springfield, IL earns a median $85,563/year (≈ $41.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $92,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Illinois, speech-language pathologists can expect a median annual salary of $85,563 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $101,775. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, with lower earners represented at $58,182 and top earners making as much as $123,051. This data, drawn from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights a market characterized by a structural divide between those working in educational settings and those in the medical sector. Given that approximately 55% of SLPs in the region are employed by school districts, seasonal contract differences can heavily influence overall earning potential, making the job market in Springfield particularly nuanced.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,182 | $27.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,649 | $31.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,563 | $41.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,293 | $52.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,051 | $59.16 |
Median Salary Position
15.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,869 (2026 est.). At $85,563, the local median is 15.93% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Springfield median: $85,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,734 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -15.93% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Springfield, IL earn a median of $85,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.93% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.20% below the Illinois state average of $85,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 7.25% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.745 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,563 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,256 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,910
2025 BLS Actual
$82,280
2026 Current Est.
$85,563
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,977 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 21.2% from $67,910 (2019) to $82,280 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,977 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,067 (31.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $58,182 – $65,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,649 – $85,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,563 – $109,293 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,293 – $123,051 |
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 Springfield
The local job market for speech-language pathologists is supported by about 160 professionals currently employed in roles across various settings. With a cost-of-living index of 92.745, Springfield offers a relative advantage in purchasing power, even if salaries are below the national average. Among local employers, school districts typically offer annual contracts that can limit earning potential, while inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing homes tend to provide higher compensation. Factors contributing to pay disparities include differences in employment settings, such as medical roles generally offering better salaries compared to private practice or school positions. SLPs can also seek opportunities in telepractice, which saw significant growth post-2020, and bilingual SLPs often command a premium as well. To maximize pay in Springfield, professionals should consider additional certifications, pursue specialized training, and stay updated on telepractice opportunities that enhance flexibility and income potential.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $82,280 for speech-language pathologistsin the Springfield 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