Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Pontiac, MI: $87,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Pontiac, MI earns a median $87,524/year (≈ $42.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Pontiac's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $93,910 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pontiac, MI, the average compensation for speech-language pathologists is projected to reach $87,524 in 2026, which reflects a notable deviation from the national average of $101,775 for the same year. This means SLPs in this area earn roughly 14% less than their counterparts nationwide. The salary range for this profession in Pontiac is considerable, spanning from $56,626 at the 10th percentile to $118,011 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data alongside regional price adjustments, highlight an essential factor: the local demand, particularly for those specializing in dysphagia and medical settings, often results in higher pay compared to other practice areas. As the market evolves, SLPs in Pontiac can expect diverse opportunities, especially those capitalizing on specialized skills.
About the Pontiac Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,626 | $27.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,139 | $33.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,524 | $42.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,665 | $48.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,011 | $56.74 |
Median Salary Position
14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pontiac
In Pontiac, MI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,385 (2026 est.). At $87,524, the local median is 14% below the national median of $101,775.
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How Pontiac Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Pontiac median: $87,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pontiac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $90,605 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -14.00% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Pontiac, MI earn a median of $87,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.40% below the Michigan state average of $90,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pontiac has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pontiac, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $87,524 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,910 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,041
2025 BLS Actual
$84,166
2026 Current Est.
$87,524
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Pontiac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,041 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,211 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,359 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,787 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,799 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,016 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pontiac metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $68,041 (2019) to $84,166 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,016 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,975 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pontiac 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) | $56,626 – $69,139 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,139 – $87,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,524 – $101,665 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,665 – $118,011 |
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 Pontiac
Examining the local job market, there are currently 12 speech-language pathologists working in Pontiac, suggesting a stable, yet potentially competitive field. With a cost of living index set at 93.2, individuals in this profession can enjoy a slightly below-average living expense, which allows for improved purchasing power. Employers in the area that tend to offer the highest pay include hospital inpatient rehab facilities and skilled nursing facilities, which often prioritize SLPs with medical certifications. The wage variable stems from factors such as sector differences, with medical settings generally outperforming school-based roles in terms of compensation, as well as the nature of contracts—school-year versus year-round positions—affecting income stability. To maximize their earnings, SLPs in Pontiac may consider diversifying their practice environments, obtaining specialized certifications, or engaging in telepractice, which has seen substantial growth and often offers more flexible pay structures.
More salary data for Pontiac, MI:
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 $84,166 for speech-language pathologistsin the Pontiac 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 Pontiac 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