Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Rapid City, SD: $74,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Rapid City, SD earns a median $74,550/year (≈ $35.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $83,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, speech-language pathologists can expect a median annual salary of $74,550 in 2026, a figure significantly lower than the national median of $101,775. With salaries ranging from $66,845 at the 10th percentile to $103,418 at the 90th percentile, the market reflects a notable disparity aligned with healthcare and educational settings. Those positioned in medical roles typically see higher compensation, while SLPs in school districts may engage on an academic year contract, which often limits earning potential. This data, derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlights ongoing opportunities for employment within the area, particularly as schools will continue to employ a majority of SLPs due to their need for year-round services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,845 | $32.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,845 | $32.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,550 | $35.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,781 | $41.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,418 | $49.72 |
Median Salary Position
26.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,573 (2026 est.). At $74,550, the local median is 26.75% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Rapid City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $74,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $94,487 | -21.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -26.75% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $74,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.75% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 21.10% below the South Dakota state average of $94,487.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $74,550 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,614 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,630
2025 BLS Actual
$71,690
2026 Current Est.
$74,550
2019–2027 Growth
+13.0%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,525 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 4.5% from $68,630 (2019) to $71,690 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,525 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,895 (12.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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) | $66,845 – $66,845 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,845 – $74,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,550 – $85,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,781 – $103,418 |
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 Rapid City
Within the local job market, approximately 80 speech-language pathologists work in Rapid City, which suggests a solid community presence and potential demand for services. With a cost of living index at 89.16, the relative affordability of living in Rapid City can enhance the purchasing power of SLPs, despite lower salaries compared to the national average. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher salaries than school districts, while early intervention programs and outpatient clinics provide distinct opportunities as well. Factors contributing to the salary discrepancies include differences in contract terms, with medical roles generally providing year-round employment and additional stipends for specialties. Strategies such as seeking bilingual certifications, pursuing contractual arrangements with telepractice agencies, or engaging in private practice can significantly boost the overall speech-language pathologist pay in Rapid City, SD.
More salary data for Rapid City, 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 $71,690 for speech-language pathologistsin the Rapid City 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