Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Ames, IA: $86,488 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Ames, IA earns a median $86,488/year (≈ $41.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $97,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Ames, Iowa, is $86,488, representing a notable distinction from the national median of $101,775. This figure reflects a salary range from $65,243 at the 10th percentile to as high as $112,684 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The variance in salaries largely stems from the structural divide between school-based versus medical practice settings. School-based speech-language pathologists, who typically work on a school-year contract, often earn less than those in medical facilities, but the latter may face less job stability due to seasonal fluctuations and patient demand. With approximately 60 SLPs employed in the area, the job market remains competitive yet offers opportunities that align with the unique characteristics of Ames.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,243 | $31.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,512 | $31.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,488 | $41.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,335 | $46.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,684 | $54.18 |
Median Salary Position
15.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,441 (2026 est.). At $86,488, the local median is 15.02% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Ames median: $86,488/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,710 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -15.02% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Ames, IA earn a median of $86,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.02% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.10% above the Iowa state average of $84,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $86,488 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,364 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.58% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$90,000
2025 BLS Actual
$83,170
2026 Current Est.
$86,488
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.1%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,185 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,488 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,939 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -7.6% from $90,000 (2019) to $83,170 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,939 by 2027 — a total increase of $-61 (-0.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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) | $65,243 – $66,512 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,512 – $86,488 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,488 – $97,335 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,335 – $112,684 |
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 Ames
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Ames is bolstered by a relatively low cost-of-living index of 88.83, meaning earnings afford a higher purchasing power compared to many urban centers. Among the highest-paying employment settings are hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities, where SLPs specializing in dysphagia typically command better compensation. Factors influencing salary differences include the nature of the job setting—medical typically offers higher pay than private practice or school positions—and the distinction between job contracts, with year-round positions generally yielding higher annual salaries. For those looking to maximize their speech-language pathologist pay in Ames, pursuing positions in hospitals or specialized medical practices, attaining board certifications, and considering bilingual capabilities can significantly enhance income potential.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Ames?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Ames?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Ames?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Iowa
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 $83,170 for speech-language pathologistsin the Ames 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, 6-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