Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Iowa City, IA: $82,111 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Iowa City, IA earns a median $82,111/year (≈ $39.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $89,730 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the 2026 estimates for speech-language pathologist salary indicate a median annual pay of $82,111, which is relatively lower than the national figure of $101,775. The local salary range extends from $65,753 at the lower tenth percentile to $118,777 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected into 2026, reflect the financial landscape for SLPs in the region. The presence of telepractice options, which gained momentum especially following the pandemic, has expanded income avenues for clinicians, particularly those who utilize 1099 contracts, often leading to effective hourly compensation that can enhance overall earnings. Thus, understanding Iowa City's job market dynamics is crucial for prospective SLPs and those considering practices in this area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,753 | $31.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,138 | $31.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,111 | $39.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,203 | $45.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,777 | $57.10 |
Median Salary Position
19.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,024 (2026 est.). At $82,111, the local median is 19.32% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $82,111/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,737 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -19.32% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $82,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.32% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.10% below the Iowa state average of $84,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,111 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,730 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,300
2025 BLS Actual
$78,960
2026 Current Est.
$82,111
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,111 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 7.7% from $73,300 (2019) to $78,960 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,087 (16.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $65,753 – $66,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,138 – $82,111 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,111 – $95,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,203 – $118,777 |
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 Iowa City
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Iowa City is shaped by approximately 100 employed clinicians, with the cost of living index standing at 91.509, reflecting a cost below the national average. This situation allows SLPs to maintain a reasonable purchasing power, despite the comparatively lower salary levels. Among local employers, school districts generally offer competitive salaries reflecting the seasonal nature of educational contracts, while medical settings such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities tend to pay more, particularly for SLPs specializing in dysphagia. This wage variability is further influenced by factors such as the setting of practice, board specialty certification stipends, and any bilingual premiums. To maximize compensation in Iowa City, SLPs can benefit from diversifying their employment settings, considering telepractice opportunities, and pursuing advanced certifications, which can command higher salaries within the various fields of speech-language pathology.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
Is Iowa City, IA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Iowa City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Iowa City?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Iowa City?
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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 $78,960 for speech-language pathologistsin the Iowa City 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