Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Rochester, MN: $86,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Rochester, MN earns a median $86,457/year (≈ $41.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $95,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, the median annual salary for speech-language pathologists is projected to reach $86,457 in 2026, reflecting a competitive local market influenced by the demand for specialists, particularly in dysphagia and medical settings. The salary range for these professionals extends from $67,916 at the lower end (P10) to $103,772 for the top earners (P90). These insights are drawn from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating that while Rochester’s salaries are below the national median of $101,775, the local job market benefits from a unique blend of medical and educational institutions. The presence of diverse employment settings offers potential for salary growth, particularly for those with expertise in specialized areas.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,916 | $32.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,994 | $39.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,457 | $41.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,946 | $47.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,772 | $49.89 |
Median Salary Position
15.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,856 (2026 est.). At $86,457, the local median is 15.05% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be above the median
How Rochester Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Rochester median: $86,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $87,242 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -15.05% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Rochester, MN earn a median of $86,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.05% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.90% below the Minnesota state average of $87,242.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $86,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,210
2025 BLS Actual
$83,140
2026 Current Est.
$86,457
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 12.0% from $74,210 (2019) to $83,140 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,697 (21.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $67,916 – $82,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,994 – $86,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,457 – $98,946 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,946 – $103,772 |
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 Rochester
The local job market for speech-language pathologists is robust, with approximately 160 professionals currently employed in Rochester. This figure indicates a solid demand in the region, but it’s essential to consider the cost of living, which has a lower index of 90.821 relative to the national average. This lower cost of living means that while salaries may not be as high as in other regions, the purchasing power can still be favorable. Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics tend to offer higher compensation compared to school districts, which employ the majority of SLPs in the area. The salary spread arises from various factors, including the distinction between medical and educational roles, availability of year-round contracts, and the added benefits of board certifications or bilingual capabilities. To maximize pay in Rochester, speech-language pathologists should consider pursuing specialties or additional certifications, focusing on settings known for higher wages, such as inpatient rehabilitation or telepractice, which has seen a surge in demand post-2020.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
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 $83,140 for speech-language pathologistsin the Rochester 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