Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $105,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Des Moines, WA earns a median $105,507/year (≈ $50.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $98,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for a speech-language pathologist in Des Moines, WA, reaches a median of $105,507, which exceeds the national average of $101,775 by 3.67%. This salary is particularly significant given the full range of compensation in the area, with the lowest 10% earning $69,230 and the top 90% making as much as $140,904. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, reflecting the unique economic landscape of Des Moines. The local job market for speech-language pathologists is expected to maintain steady demand, especially with the growth of telepractice opportunities presenting additional income avenues for professionals looking to supplement their earnings through 1099 contracts.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,230 | $33.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,109 | $40.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,507 | $50.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,476 | $58.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,904 | $67.74 |
Median Salary Position
3.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,674 (2026 est.). At $105,507, the local median is 3.67% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be above the median
How Des Moines Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $105,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,465 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +3.67% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $105,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.67% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $106,465.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,507 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,237 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$82,021
2025 BLS Actual
$101,459
2026 Current Est.
$105,507
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,431 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,226 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,564 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,151 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $82,021 (2019) to $101,459 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,696 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $69,230 – $84,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,109 – $105,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,507 – $122,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,476 – $140,904 |
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 Des Moines
Currently, only seven speech-language pathologists are employed within Des Moines, suggesting a relatively small but specialized workforce. However, the area's cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, indicating that prices are slightly above the national average, which can impact overall purchasing power for local practitioners. Major employers such as school districts, medical facilities, and outpatient clinics are key players in the local economy; however, settings like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher pay due to the complexity of cases, particularly dysphagia management. The variability in compensation can be attributed to factors such as the employment setting, whether contracts align with the school year or year-round, and potential bonuses for board specialty certifications. To maximize earnings in Des Moines, speech-language pathologists should consider diversifying their practice settings, pursuing bilingual certifications, or engaging with emerging telepractice opportunities, which have gained traction post-2020.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Des Moines, WA in 2026?
Is Des Moines, WA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Des Moines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Des Moines?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Des Moines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $101,459 for speech-language pathologistsin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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