Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Spearfish, SD: $90,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Spearfish, SD earns a median $90,560/year (≈ $43.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Spearfish's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $97,586 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Spearfish, South Dakota, is $90,560, reflecting a substantial contribution from the dysphagia specialty, which often commands premium compensation in medical settings. Salaries in this field range from $58,692 at the 10th percentile to $113,865 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse market for such professionals based on their area of focus and expertise. These figures, informed by 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, present an intriguing snapshot of the local compensation landscape. With notable employment opportunities in settings like skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, the job market in Spearfish remains robust, underscoring the critical demand for skilled practitioners in this area.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,692 | $28.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,744 | $36.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,421 | $48.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,865 | $54.74 |
Median Salary Position
11.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
In Spearfish, SD, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,173 (2026 est.). At $90,560, the local median is 11.02% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Spearfish: You'd be above the median
How Spearfish Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Spearfish median: $90,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spearfish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $94,431 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -11.02% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $90,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $94,431.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spearfish 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.
Spearfish, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $90,560 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,586 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,401
2025 BLS Actual
$87,085
2026 Current Est.
$90,560
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,868 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spearfish metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $70,401 (2019) to $87,085 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,772 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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) | $58,692 – $76,744 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,744 – $90,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,560 – $101,421 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,421 – $113,865 |
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 Spearfish
The local job market for speech-language pathologists employs about five professionals, emphasizing a niche but steady demand in this small South Dakota city. The cost-of-living index stands at 92.8, indicating that while salaries are generally lower compared to the national average, the affordability of living can enhance purchasing power for those in the field. Significant employers in Spearfish, such as elementary and middle school districts, may offer the lowest salaries, while hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically pay more due to the specialized needs associated with dysphagia and medical speech-language pathology. Variations in pay also arise from factors like the nature of employment contracts—school year versus year-round—as well as additional compensation incentives for specialties, bilingual capabilities, or board certification. For maximizing earnings, aiming for positions in medical facilities or exploring telepractice opportunities could prove beneficial for aspiring SLPs in Spearfish, allowing flexibility and potential for higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 $87,085 for speech-language pathologistsin the Spearfish 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 Spearfish 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