Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Minnesota: $94,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $94,491/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,930 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($93,370), St. Paul ($92,433), Bloomington ($91,715).
In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Minnesota is projected to be $94,492, which is approximately 7.2% lower than the national median of $101,775. The highest paying city in the state is Minneapolis, with an average salary of $97,095, while Faribault registers the lowest at $82,436. This gap of $14,659 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to smaller towns. Minnesota has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job availability and salary levels. The demand for speech-language pathologists is driven by factors such as an aging population and increasing awareness of communication disorders, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%. With a total employment figure of 3,492 in the state, cities like St. Paul and Bloomington follow closely behind Minneapolis, offering salaries of $96,121 and $95,374, respectively. Overall, the state's job market for this profession reflects a steady outlook, supported by ongoing demand for specialized communication services across diverse settings.
Minnesota Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $52,012 (lowest entry-level) to $142,702 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota speech-language pathologists earn 7.16% less than the national median ($-7,284/year difference).
Minnesota Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Minnesota range from $64,525 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $115,346 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,491. The Minnesota median is $7,284 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $45.43/hr. Approximately 3,492 speech-language pathologists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,255
2025 BLS Actual
$90,866
2026 Current Est.
$94,491
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,255 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,282 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,378 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,301 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,261 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 17.6% from $77,255 (2019) to $90,866 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,261 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,006 (27.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $88,433 | 87.632 | $100,914 |
| St. Paul | $96,121 | 98.5 | $97,585 |
| Bloomington | $95,374 | 98.5 | $96,826 |
| Duluth | $85,272 | 88.768 | $96,062 |
| Mankato | $87,268 | 90.955 | $95,946 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,525 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,491 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $115,346 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $97,095 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $96,121 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $95,374 |
| 4 | Maple Grove | $88,452 |
| 5 | St. Cloud | $88,433 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $88,417 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $88,334 |
| 8 | Mankato | $87,268 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $86,631 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $86,517 |
| 11 | Rochester | $86,457 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $86,365 |
| 13 | Roseville | $86,313 |
| 14 | Chaska | $86,245 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $86,226 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $86,130 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $86,060 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $85,743 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $85,684 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $85,547 |
| 21 | Eagan | $85,535 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $85,514 |
| 23 | Elk River | $85,501 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $85,412 |
| 25 | Duluth | $85,272 |
| 26 | Ramsey | $85,100 |
| 27 | Blaine | $84,740 |
| 28 | Apple Valley | $84,609 |
| 29 | Shakopee | $84,525 |
| 30 | Coon Rapids | $84,513 |
| 31 | Savage | $84,376 |
| 32 | Edina | $84,367 |
| 33 | Maplewood | $84,119 |
| 34 | Andover | $84,099 |
| 35 | Richfield | $84,058 |
| 36 | St. Louis Park | $84,051 |
| 37 | Moorhead | $83,929 |
| 38 | Northfield | $83,322 |
| 39 | Hastings | $83,144 |
| 40 | Fridley | $82,771 |
| 41 | Winona | $82,703 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $82,670 |
| 43 | Austin | $82,541 |
| 44 | Faribault | $82,436 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Minnesota?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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