Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Brookings, SD: $87,257 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Brookings, SD earns a median $87,257/year (≈ $41.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $94,027 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookings, South Dakota, the projected median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $87,257, which reflects the local market's dynamics, particularly in medical settings like inpatient rehabilitation where SLPs often focus on dysphagia. The salary range in Brookings spans from $61,162 at the 10th percentile to $111,812 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a healthy payment potential for specialized roles. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost patterns, indicate the competitive landscape for speech-language pathologist pay in Brookings SD. In this city, factors like the presence of healthcare facilities and educational institutions significantly influence demand and salary levels, shaping a job market that continues to evolve with the healthcare sector's needs.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,162 | $29.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,898 | $34.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,257 | $41.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,022 | $47.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,812 | $53.75 |
Median Salary Position
14.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,650 (2026 est.). At $87,257, the local median is 14.26% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be above the median
How Brookings Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Brookings median: $87,257/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $94,434 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -14.26% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Brookings, SD earn a median of $87,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $94,434.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $87,257 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,027 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,834
2025 BLS Actual
$83,909
2026 Current Est.
$87,257
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,834 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,782 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,138 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,553 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,873 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,909 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,257 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $67,834 (2019) to $83,909 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,905 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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) | $61,162 – $71,898 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,898 – $87,257 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,257 – $99,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,022 – $111,812 |
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 Brookings
Despite only four speech-language pathologists currently employed in Brookings, the local job market suggests a steady demand due to the area's lower cost of living, reflected by a cost of living index of 92.8, which can enhance purchasing power for SLPs. Institutions such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab programs typically offer some of the highest pay, particularly for those with additional certifications like board specialty in medical SLP practices. In contrast, positions in school districts may offer less compensation, often due to the seasonal nature of school contracts and standardized pay scales. To optimize earnings in Brookings, SLPs can explore roles in telepractice—an area that has seen significant growth since 2020—and consider dual certifications or specialties to enhance their appeal and bargaining power within the competitive landscape of speech-language pathology.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
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 $83,909 for speech-language pathologistsin the Brookings 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
Salary data for Brookings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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