Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $95,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $95,525/year (≈ $45.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $104,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Lincoln, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $95,525, slightly below the national median of $101,775. This salary range spans from $80,821 at the 10th percentile to $130,445 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for SLPs depending on their work setting and experience level. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys illustrate how local salaries differ, largely driven by the divide between school-based and medical SLP positions. School districts employ the majority of SLPs in Lincoln, comprising about 55% of the workforce, and salary structures here tend to reflect the academic calendar, which influences yearly earnings significantly. This establishes a clear contrast with hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) roles that typically offer higher compensation due to the consistent year-round demand and specialized clinical focus.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,821 | $38.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,686 | $41.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,525 | $45.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,909 | $49.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,445 | $62.72 |
Median Salary Position
6.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,624 (2026 est.). At $95,525, the local median is 6.14% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $95,525/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $93,104 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -6.14% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $95,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.14% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.60% above the Nebraska state average of $93,104.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $95,525 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,700
2025 BLS Actual
$91,860
2026 Current Est.
$95,525
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 21.3% from $75,700 (2019) to $91,860 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,637 (31.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $80,821 – $86,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,686 – $95,525 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,525 – $102,909 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,909 – $130,445 |
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 Lincoln
Currently, Lincoln employs around 220 speech-language pathologists, contributing to a competitive job market. The cost of living index in the area is 91.581, which is lower than the national average, allowing for greater purchasing power relative to take-home salaries. Among local employers, school districts generally offer the most positions, but hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient pediatric clinics provide the highest salaries. Factors contributing to the spread in pay include the nature of the job setting, with medical positions generally commanding higher pay than those in private practice or schools. Further variations arise from different contract periods and the potential for supplementary pay through certifications, such as bilingual proficiency. For SLPs seeking to maximize their earnings in Lincoln, pursuing board certification, specializing in high-demand areas such as dysphagia, or exploring telepractice opportunities can significantly enhance salary prospects.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $91,860 for speech-language pathologistsin the Lincoln 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