Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Montana: $84,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $84,167/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $87,492 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($92,647), Butte ($91,498), Kalispell ($89,900).
In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Montana stands at $84,167, which is significantly lower than the national median of $101,775, creating a salary gap of -17.3%. The highest-paying city is Bozeman, with an average salary of $96,344, while Missoula offers the lowest at $77,119. This difference of $19,225 between the two cities can be attributed to variations in the cost of living, demand for services, and the availability of positions in urban versus rural settings. The demand for speech-language pathologists in Montana is expected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 3.99%. Licensure in the state typically requires a master's degree, completion of clinical practicum, and passing a national exam, which defines the scope of practice for professionals in this field. Factors driving demand include the state’s aging population and increased awareness of speech and language disorders. Overall, with 285 speech-language pathologists employed across the state, cities like Butte, Kalispell, Billings, and Great Falls are also projected to offer competitive salaries, such as $95,149 in Butte and $86,956 in Billings, reflecting Montana's evolving landscape for healthcare professionals in this specialty.
Montana Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $54,252 (lowest entry-level) to $136,746 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana speech-language pathologists earn 17.3% less than the national median ($-17,608/year difference).
Montana Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Montana range from $60,497 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $111,330 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $84,167. The Montana median is $17,608 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $40.47/hr. Approximately 285 speech-language pathologists are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,930
2025 BLS Actual
$80,938
2026 Current Est.
$84,167
2019–2027 Growth
+25.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,945 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,781 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,865 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,234 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,938 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,526 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 15.7% from $69,930 (2019) to $80,938 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,596 (25.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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 Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Missoula | $77,119 |
| Helena | $82,578 |
| Great Falls | $83,306 |
| Billings | $86,956 |
| Kalispell | $93,487 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $96,344 | 96.2 | $100,150 |
| Butte | $95,149 | 96.2 | $98,907 |
| Kalispell | $93,487 | 96.2 | $97,180 |
| Billings | $86,956 | 93.526 | $92,975 |
| Helena | $82,578 | 95.675 | $86,311 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,497 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $84,167 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $111,330 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Montana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Montana speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
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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
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 Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 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