Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $87,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Des Moines, IA earns a median $87,435/year (≈ $42.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $95,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Des Moines, Iowa, is set at $87,435. This figure highlights a significant gap between local and national averages, with the national median nearing $101,775. Salaries in Des Moines range from $67,542 at the 10th percentile to $128,272 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various employment settings and contract types. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, these insights reveal an important trend: the dual structure in the market, where those employed in school districts usually receive fewer annual hours compared to their medical counterparts, who may command higher compensation throughout the year. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for prospective SLPs considering their career paths in Des Moines.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,542 | $32.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,944 | $36.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,435 | $42.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,134 | $50.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,272 | $61.67 |
Median Salary Position
14.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,730 (2026 est.). At $87,435, the local median is 14.09% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $87,435/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,724 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -14.09% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $87,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.09% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.20% above the Iowa state average of $84,724.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $87,435 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,890
2025 BLS Actual
$84,080
2026 Current Est.
$87,435
2019–2027 Growth
+0.0%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -7.5% from $90,890 (2019) to $84,080 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $33 (0.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $67,542 – $75,944 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,944 – $87,435 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,435 – $105,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,134 – $128,272 |
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 Des Moines
The local job market is relatively robust, employing around 380 speech-language pathologists within the area. However, with a cost-of-living index of 91.701, professionals need to be strategic about their earnings to maximize purchasing power. Medical facilities, including hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer the highest compensation. In contrast, school districts generally provide salaries that, while competitive, often reflect the shorter academic calendar. Variability in pay can also stem from factors such as board specialty certification stipends, telepractice engagements, and the increasing demand for bilingual SLPs. For those looking to increase their speech-language pathologist pay in Des Moines, pursuing opportunities in settings that operate year-round, obtaining specialized certifications, and considering telepractice roles may lead to greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Des Moines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Des Moines?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Des Moines?
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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 $84,080 for speech-language pathologistsin the Des Moines 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