Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Urbandale, IA: $80,951 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Urbandale, IA earns a median $80,951/year (≈ $38.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $89,548 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for speech-language pathologists in Urbandale, Iowa, reaches $80,951, significantly below the national median of $101,775. Local data indicates a salary range from $55,190 at the 10th percentile to $107,180 at the 90th percentile. This estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional costs, highlights the potential for higher earnings in specialized areas such as dysphagia, which can significantly influence pay in the medical sector. Understanding these financial metrics is essential for professionals in Urbandale, especially with the local growth rate estimated at 3.99% annually, suggesting a moderately increasing demand for qualified speech-language pathologists.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,190 | $26.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,875 | $31.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,951 | $38.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,588 | $45.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,180 | $51.53 |
Median Salary Position
20.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,990 (2026 est.). At $80,951, the local median is 20.46% below the national median of $101,775.
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How Urbandale Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $80,951/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,765 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -20.46% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $80,951 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.46% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $84,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $80,951 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,548 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,931
2025 BLS Actual
$77,845
2026 Current Est.
$80,951
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,013 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,021 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,098 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,845 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,951 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $62,931 (2019) to $77,845 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,250 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $55,190 – $65,875 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,875 – $80,951 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,951 – $93,588 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,588 – $107,180 |
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 Urbandale
With 12 speech-language pathologists currently employed in Urbandale, the local market is relatively small, affecting salary dynamics. The area's cost of living index of 90.4 indicates a below-average cost of living, which can enhance purchasing power for speech-language pathologists working in the region. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer higher pay compared to school districts, which represent about 55% of SLP employment due to contract structures (school-year versus year-round). Other settings like outpatient pediatric clinics and skilled nursing facilities also play a role in setting diverse pay levels. To maximize earnings in Urbandale, pursuing certifications in specialized areas, embracing telepractice opportunities, and considering bilingual skills can be advantageous, as these factors contribute to higher compensation in a competitive local job market.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Urbandale, IA in 2026?
Is Urbandale, IA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Urbandale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Urbandale?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Urbandale?
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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 $77,845 for speech-language pathologistsin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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