Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Ankeny, IA: $82,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Ankeny, IA earns a median $82,338/year (≈ $39.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $91,082 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, the projected median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $82,338, a figure that falls significantly below the national median of $101,775, by about 19.10%. This disparity can be attributed to the strong presence of dysphagia and other medically-focused speech-language pathology roles, which often command higher compensation. Local salaries range from $54,094 at the lower end (P10) to $114,838 for top earners (P90), showcasing the diversity in pay driven by subspecialty and workplace setting. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, underscoring Ankeny's potential for growth in this field amid increasing demand for skilled practitioners.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,094 | $26.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,659 | $31.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,338 | $39.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,186 | $47.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,838 | $55.21 |
Median Salary Position
19.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,744 (2026 est.). At $82,338, the local median is 19.1% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $82,338/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,710 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -19.10% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $82,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.10% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $84,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,338 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,082 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,010
2025 BLS Actual
$79,179
2026 Current Est.
$82,338
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,961 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,071 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,238 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,282 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,179 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,624 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,010 (2019) to $79,179 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,624 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,614 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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) | $54,094 – $65,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,659 – $82,338 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,338 – $98,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,186 – $114,838 |
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 Ankeny
Despite the lower median salary compared to national standards, the local employment landscape for speech-language pathologists in Ankeny is relatively stable, with 16 professionals currently operating within the area. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, which might enhance the affordability of living in Ankeny, compared to higher-cost regions. Employers offering competitive salaries include hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities, often outperforming school districts, which employ the majority of SLPs. Factors influencing salary variations include shifts between educational and medical settings, the impact of year-round contracts versus school-year commitments, and additional certifications that increase pay potential. To maximize earnings in Ankeny, SLPs may consider pursuing specialized medical certifications or exploring telepractice opportunities, which have surged in popularity since 2020.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
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 $79,179 for speech-language pathologistsin the Ankeny 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
Salary data for Ankeny is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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