Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Iowa: $84,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $84,366/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $93,325 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dubuque ($85,030), Des Moines ($84,080), Ames ($83,170).
In Iowa, speech-language pathologist salaries represent an employment-weighted average median of $84,366 in 2026, which is 17.1% lower than the national median of $101,775. The highest-paying city in the state is Dubuque, where salaries can reach $88,423, while Fort Dodge has the lowest salaries at $77,772, creating a salary gap of $10,651. Factors contributing to this disparity include varying costs of living, demand for services, and local funding for health and education programs. Iowa has specific licensing requirements for speech-language pathologists, including a graduate degree from an accredited program and passing the national examination. The state's scope of practice laws allow practitioners to provide a range of services, which can impact job prospects. Demand is anticipated to grow, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.99% based on the latest BLS data. Top cities for employment in 2026 include Des Moines at $87,435, Ames at $86,488, West Des Moines at $86,305, and Cedar Falls at $86,081. With 1,186 speech-language pathologists currently employed in the state, the job market remains active and offers opportunities for new graduates and experienced professionals alike.
Iowa Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $51,979 (lowest entry-level) to $128,272 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa speech-language pathologists earn 17.11% less than the national median ($-17,409/year difference).
Iowa Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Iowa range from $64,775 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $115,920 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $84,366. The Iowa median is $17,409 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $40.56/hr. Approximately 1,186 speech-language pathologists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,335
2025 BLS Actual
$81,129
2026 Current Est.
$84,366
2019–2027 Growth
+10.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,335 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,087 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,949 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,077 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 2.3% from $79,335 (2019) to $81,129 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,398 (10.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $77,772 |
| Johnston | $78,639 |
| Ottumwa | $78,830 |
| Muscatine | $79,129 |
| Clinton | $79,506 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | $88,423 | 87.328 | $101,254 |
| Sioux City | $85,168 | 86.454 | $98,513 |
| Ames | $86,488 | 88.83 | $97,364 |
| Waterloo | $84,284 | 87.057 | $96,815 |
| West Des Moines | $86,305 | 90.4 | $95,470 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,775 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $84,366 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $115,920 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubuque | $88,423 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $87,435 |
| 3 | Ames | $86,488 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $86,305 |
| 5 | Cedar Falls | $86,081 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $85,168 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $84,284 |
| 8 | Marion | $83,312 |
| 9 | Ankeny | $82,338 |
| 10 | Iowa City | $82,111 |
| 11 | Council Bluffs | $81,821 |
| 12 | Davenport | $81,445 |
| 13 | Burlington | $81,353 |
| 14 | Waukee | $81,060 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $80,951 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $80,945 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $80,695 |
| 18 | Cedar Rapids | $80,644 |
| 19 | Coralville | $80,588 |
| 20 | Mason City | $80,215 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $79,901 |
| 22 | Clinton | $79,506 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $79,129 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $78,830 |
| 25 | Johnston | $78,639 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $77,772 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
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 Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Iowa?
How does Iowa speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Iowa?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
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 Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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