SLP Salary

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Indiana: $92,693 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $92,693/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,526 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lafayette ($96,570), West Lafayette ($95,060), Indianapolis ($93,320).

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Indiana - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Indiana speech-language pathologist salary overview (2026)
$92,693
Avg Median Salary
$44.56
Avg Hourly Rate
2,622
Metro Employed
43
Cities

In Indiana, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists is projected to be $92,694 in 2026, which is 8.9% lower than the national median of $101,775. The state has significant salary variability, with Lafayette being the highest paying city at $100,423, while Munster has the lowest salary at $80,574, resulting in a gap of $19,849 between these two cities. This difference may be influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for services, and local funding for health programs. Indiana requires speech-language pathologists to obtain state licensure, which ensures that practitioners are qualified and meet established professional standards. Key drivers of demand in the state include an increasing awareness of speech and language disorders and a growing geriatric population needing rehabilitation services. The job market for speech-language pathologists in Indiana is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.99%, indicating a positive outlook for both job availability and employment stability. With a total of 2,622 individuals employed in this field, cities like West Lafayette, Indianapolis, Carmel, and Bloomington also show strong salary projections, enhancing the overall prospects for professionals in speech-language pathology throughout the state.

Indiana Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$63,159
avg across 43 cities
Median
$92,693
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$125,730
avg across 43 cities

Overall salary range in Indiana: $53,089 (lowest entry-level) to $142,976 (highest top earner)

Indiana vs National Average

Indiana
$92,693
National Median
$101,775

Indiana speech-language pathologists earn 8.92% less than the national median ($-9,082/year difference).

Indiana Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Indiana speech-language pathologist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $63,159, 25th $77,862, Median $92,693, 75th $108,063, 90th $125,730. US national median is $101,775.$35.2K$70.4K$105.6K$140.8K$63.2K10thEntry Level$77.9K25thEarly Career$92.7KMedianMid Career$108.1K75thExperienced$125.7K90thTop EarnerUS Median $101.8K

Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Indiana range from $63,159 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $125,730 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $92,693. The Indiana median is $9,082 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $44.56/hr. Approximately 2,622 speech-language pathologists are employed across 43 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$76,248

2025 BLS Actual

$89,137

2026 Current Est.

$92,693

2019–2027 Growth

+26.4%

Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Indiana (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for speech-language pathologists in Indiana. Baseline $76,248 in 2025, projected to $96,392 by 2027.$72.2K$79.3K$86.3K$93.4K$100.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$76.2K$78.1K$78.0K$83.5K$79.5K$82.9K$89.1K$92.7K$96.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$76,248Actual
2020$78,103Actual
2021$78,005Actual
2022$83,466Actual
2023$79,464Actual
2024$82,895Actual
2025$89,137Actual
2026(current)$92,693Estimated
2027$96,392Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 16.9% from $76,248 (2019) to $89,137 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,144 (26.42%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Indiana

#1
Lafayette
90 employed · $48.28/hr
$100,423
+8.34% vs avg
#2
West Lafayette
8 employed · $47.52/hr
$98,853
+6.65% vs avg
#3
Indianapolis
1,360 employed · $46.65/hr
$97,043
+4.69% vs avg
#4
Carmel
15 employed · $46.24/hr
$96,194
+3.78% vs avg
#5
Bloomington
40 employed · $45.97/hr
$95,619
+3.16% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana

CityMedian Salary
Munster$80,574
Goshen$82,130
Avon$82,312
Michigan City$82,412
Brownsburg$82,901

Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Indiana

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
West Lafayette$98,85391.3$108,273
Lafayette$100,42393.43$107,485
Carmel$96,19491.3$105,360
Greenwood$95,02991.3$104,084
Terre Haute$90,24387.797$102,786

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Indiana

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$63,159
Mid Career (3-7 years)$92,693
Experienced (7+ years)$125,730

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 43 Cities in Indiana

#CityMedian Salary
1Lafayette$100,423
2West Lafayette$98,853
3Indianapolis$97,043
4Carmel$96,194
5Bloomington$95,619
6Greenwood$95,029
7Terre Haute$90,243
8Evansville$88,620
9Noblesville$88,542
10Gary$87,682
11Fishers$87,364
12Plainfield$86,536
13Fort Wayne$86,520
14South Bend$86,488
15Valparaiso$86,380
16Columbus$86,285
17Kokomo$86,247
18Westfield$86,102
19Franklin$86,088
20Schererville$85,898
21Anderson$85,595
22Mishawaka$85,378
23Richmond$85,218
24Hammond$85,179
25Marion$84,633
26Portage$84,587
27East Chicago$84,545
28New Albany$84,531
29Jeffersonville$84,369
30Zionsville$84,131
31Hobart$84,097
32Muncie$84,086
33Merrillville$84,002
34Granger$83,975
35Lawrence$83,777
36Crown Point$83,431
37Shelbyville$83,405
38Elkhart$83,306
39Brownsburg$82,901
40Michigan City$82,412
41Avon$82,312
42Goshen$82,130
43Munster$80,574

More Indiana Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Indiana cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.

Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do speech-language pathologists make in Indiana in 2026?

The average median speech-language pathologist salary in Indiana is $92,693/year across 43 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $80,574 in Munster to $100,423 in Lafayette. This makes Indiana 8.92% below the national median of $101,775. The state employs approximately 2,622 speech-language pathologists.

What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Indiana?

Lafayette offers the highest speech-language pathologist salary in Indiana at $100,423/year ($48.28/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Lafayette ($100,423), West Lafayette ($98,853), Indianapolis ($97,043). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for speech-language pathology services, and competition among employers for licensed speech-language pathologists.

How does Indiana speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?

Indiana's average speech-language pathologist salary of $92,693 is 8.92% below the national median of $101,775 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,622 speech-language pathologists across 43 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Indiana?

Entry-level speech-language pathologists (10th percentile) in Indiana earn approximately $63,159/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $53,089 in lower-paying areas to $76,776 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Indiana?

Indiana employs approximately 2,622 speech-language pathologists across 43 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the speech-language pathology field expands and the population ages.

Which Indiana city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?

When adjusted for cost of living, West Lafayette offers the highest purchasing power for speech-language pathologists in Indiana, with an adjusted salary of $108,273 (nominal: $98,853, CoL index: 91.3). This means your dollar goes 10% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

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

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