Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Waterloo, IA: $84,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Waterloo, IA earns a median $84,284/year (≈ $40.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $96,815 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Waterloo, IA, can expect a median annual salary of $84,284. This figure reflects a significant variation in compensation, with salaries ranging from $65,701 at the 10th percentile to $107,193 at the 90th percentile. The data is derived from the latest projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting the considerable divide between SLP roles in educational settings versus those in medical environments. As school districts typically employ around 55% of SLPs, the year-round versus school-year contract situation becomes a critical aspect of job satisfaction and financial stability for professionals in the area. The difference in contract structure plays a vital role in both the employment landscape and the overall compensation prospects for aspiring speech-language pathologists in Waterloo.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,701 | $31.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,224 | $33.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,284 | $40.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,778 | $45.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,193 | $51.54 |
Median Salary Position
17.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,492 (2026 est.). At $84,284, the local median is 17.19% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterloo Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $84,284/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,707 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.19% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $84,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.19% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $84,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 12.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.057 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,284 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,815 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,820
2025 BLS Actual
$81,050
2026 Current Est.
$84,284
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 9.8% from $73,820 (2019) to $81,050 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,827 (18.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $65,701 – $70,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,224 – $84,284 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,284 – $93,778 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,778 – $107,193 |
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 Waterloo
Reflecting on the local job market, there are currently 130 speech-language pathologists working in the Waterloo area, providing a solid community for practitioners. The cost of living index in Waterloo is 87.057, suggesting that professionals can enjoy a reasonable purchasing power despite the area’s slightly lower wage scale compared to national averages. Within the region, the highest-paying employers include hospital inpatient rehab facilities and skilled nursing facilities, where SLPs often command salaries that align with the medical focus of dysphagia and rehabilitation. Factors such as work setting and whether the position is year-round or tied to the school calendar create significant salary disparities. To maximize their compensation, aspiring professionals should consider securing certification for specialties or bilingual capabilities, as these factors tend to influence pay rates significantly in competitive markets like Waterloo, IA.
More salary data for Waterloo, 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 $81,050 for speech-language pathologistsin the Waterloo 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