Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in St. Paul, MN: $96,121 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in St. Paul, MN earns a median $96,121/year (≈ $46.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $97,585 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.1% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Paul, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists stands at $96,121 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $101,775. This salary reflects a range that spans from $60,985 at the 10th percentile to $142,702 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions. Notably, the medical specialty of dysphagia therapy tends to command a premium in this market, making positions in hospital settings highly competitive. The strong demand for skilled professionals, particularly in medical and therapeutic contexts, indicates a vibrant job market for those entering or furthering their careers in St. Paul.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,985 | $29.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,739 | $36.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,121 | $46.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,375 | $54.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,702 | $68.60 |
Median Salary Position
5.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,717 (2026 est.). At $96,121, the local median is 5.56% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $96,121/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $87,303 | +10.10% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -5.56% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $96,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 10.10% above the Minnesota state average of $87,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $96,121 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,585 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,725
2025 BLS Actual
$92,433
2026 Current Est.
$96,121
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,725 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,009 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,052 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,433 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,121 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $74,725 (2019) to $92,433 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,231 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $60,985 – $75,739 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,739 – $96,121 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,121 – $112,375 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,375 – $142,702 |
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 St. Paul
Looking at the employment landscape, approximately 80 speech-language pathologists currently work in St. Paul, MN, contributing to a diverse range of settings. The local cost-of-living index stands at 98.5, which is below the national average, implying that while salaries may seem lower than the national median, the purchasing power remains viable. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers often provide the highest compensation, benefiting SLPs with specialized certifications. This disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including contract types—where medical facilities typically offer year-round roles as opposed to the school-year contracts prevalent in educational settings—as well as additional incentives like board specialty certification stipends. For those looking to maximize their compensation in St. Paul, securing positions in high-demand settings and obtaining relevant certifications are practical strategies that can significantly enhance overall pay.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $92,433 for speech-language pathologistsin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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