Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Nebraska: $88,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $88,375/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $96,585 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($91,860), Hastings ($87,368), Fremont ($86,896).
In Nebraska, the projected average median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $88,375, which is 13.2% lower than the national median of $101,775. Lincoln offers the highest salary in the state at $95,525, while Omaha reports the lowest at $85,948, creating a salary gap of $9,577 between these two cities. This difference can be attributed to various factors including the cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in these areas. The state has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may affect job opportunities and salaries for speech-language pathologists. Demand for these professionals is high due to an increasing emphasis on early childhood education and the growing population requiring speech therapy services. The job market outlook is positive, with an anticipated growth rate of 3.99% annually. In addition to Lincoln, other cities like Hastings at $90,854, Fremont at $90,363, Bellevue at $90,176, and Grand Island at $89,712 reflect competitive salaries, suggesting a solid demand for these professionals across the state. Overall, Nebraska presents a favorable landscape for speech-language pathologists, particularly for those considering urban settings like Lincoln.
Nebraska Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $56,538 (lowest entry-level) to $139,607 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska speech-language pathologists earn 13.17% less than the national median ($-13,400/year difference).
Nebraska Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Nebraska range from $68,062 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $123,918 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $88,375. The Nebraska median is $13,400 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $42.49/hr. Approximately 1,032 speech-language pathologists are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,900
2025 BLS Actual
$84,984
2026 Current Est.
$88,375
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,792 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,357 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,901 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 19.9% from $70,900 (2019) to $84,984 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,901 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,001 (29.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $85,948 |
| North Platte | $86,595 |
| Papillion | $86,623 |
| La Vista | $86,714 |
| Norfolk | $86,728 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $95,525 | 91.581 | $104,307 |
| Grand Island | $89,712 | 86.657 | $103,525 |
| Hastings | $90,854 | 91.5 | $99,294 |
| Fremont | $90,363 | 91.5 | $98,757 |
| Bellevue | $90,176 | 91.5 | $98,553 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $68,062 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $88,375 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $123,918 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | $95,525 |
| 2 | Hastings | $90,854 |
| 3 | Fremont | $90,363 |
| 4 | Bellevue | $90,176 |
| 5 | Grand Island | $89,712 |
| 6 | Kearney | $89,677 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $89,368 |
| 8 | Columbus | $86,959 |
| 9 | Norfolk | $86,728 |
| 10 | La Vista | $86,714 |
| 11 | Papillion | $86,623 |
| 12 | North Platte | $86,595 |
| 13 | Omaha | $85,948 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Nebraska?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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