Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in North Dakota: $81,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $81,368/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $88,443 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Fargo ($88,488), Dickinson ($88,041), Minot ($85,920).
In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in North Dakota is projected to be $81,368, which is significantly lower than the national median of $101,775, reflecting a gap of 20.1%. The highest-paying city is West Fargo at $92,019, while Grand Forks offers the lowest salary at $79,334, indicating a disparity of $12,685. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare providers in urban areas. North Dakota's licensing requirements demand a master's degree in speech-language pathology, along with state licensure, which must be maintained through continuing education. The scope of practice laws in the state allow for a range of services, addressing both adult and pediatric populations. The demand for speech-language pathologists is driven by varying needs in educational settings, healthcare facilities, and increasing awareness of speech and language disorders. With a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.99%, employment opportunities for speech-language pathologists are expected to increase, culminating in an estimated total of 457 professionals in the state. Cities such as Dickinson ($91,554), Minot ($89,348), Williston ($89,345), and Mandan ($87,511) are also among the top-paying areas, further highlighting the salary variations based on geographic and economic factors.
North Dakota Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $52,765 (lowest entry-level) to $126,803 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota speech-language pathologists earn 20.05% less than the national median ($-20,407/year difference).
North Dakota Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in North Dakota range from $59,126 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $106,233 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $81,368. The North Dakota median is $20,407 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $39.12/hr. Approximately 457 speech-language pathologists are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,874
2025 BLS Actual
$78,246
2026 Current Est.
$81,368
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,238 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,032 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,645 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,615 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 17.0% from $66,874 (2019) to $78,246 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,741 (26.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $79,334 |
| Fargo | $79,698 |
| Bismarck | $79,833 |
| Mandan | $87,511 |
| Williston | $89,345 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $89,348 | 87.028 | $102,666 |
| West Fargo | $92,019 | 92 | $100,021 |
| Dickinson | $91,554 | 92 | $99,515 |
| Williston | $89,345 | 92 | $97,114 |
| Mandan | $87,511 | 92 | $95,121 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,126 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $81,368 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $106,233 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Fargo | $92,019 |
| 2 | Dickinson | $91,554 |
| 3 | Minot | $89,348 |
| 4 | Williston | $89,345 |
| 5 | Mandan | $87,511 |
| 6 | Bismarck | $79,833 |
| 7 | Fargo | $79,698 |
| 8 | Grand Forks | $79,334 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in North Dakota 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 North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in North Dakota?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota 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 North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 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