Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Helena, MT: $82,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Helena, MT earns a median $82,578/year (≈ $39.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $86,311 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.7% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in Helena, Montana, is $82,578. This figure reflects a noticeable gap when compared to the national median of $101,775. Salary ranges in Helena extend from approximately $60,689 at the 10th percentile to $106,080 for those at the 90th percentile. It's important to highlight that specialized subspecialties, particularly in dysphagia and medical settings, command a premium in this market. These local salaries are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and provide valuable insights into the competitive landscape of the profession. In Helena, with a relatively small number of employed speech-language pathologists, the job market is shaped by both educational institutions and healthcare facilities, which play a critical role in determining compensation levels for this crucial specialty.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,689 | $29.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,871 | $33.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,578 | $39.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,859 | $42.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,080 | $51.00 |
Median Salary Position
18.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,391 (2026 est.). At $82,578, the local median is 18.86% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Helena median: $82,578/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $97,958 | -15.70% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.86% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Helena, MT earn a median of $82,578 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.86% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 15.70% below the Montana state average of $97,958.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,578 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,311 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,197
2025 BLS Actual
$79,410
2026 Current Est.
$82,578
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,197 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,148 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,448 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,873 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,197 (2019) to $79,410 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,873 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,676 (33.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $60,689 – $69,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,871 – $82,578 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,578 – $88,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,859 – $106,080 |
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 Helena
Regarding the local job market, Helena employs about 40 speech-language pathologists, indicating a modest yet stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living in Helena remains below the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 95.675, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries in this area. School districts, which hire approximately 55% of local SLPs, usually offer salary structures that differ from the more lucrative pay found in hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities. The disparity in salaries can largely be attributed to the specific settings of practice—medical-related SLPs often secure higher compensation compared to those in schools. To maximize their earnings in the Helena market, clinicians should consider opportunities in private practice or telepractice, where pay can be more flexible and potentially higher, particularly for bilingual SLPs or those holding specialized credentials through ASHA.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
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 $79,410 for speech-language pathologistsin the Helena 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, 2-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