Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Wisconsin: $87,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $87,289/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $93,457 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($89,301), Milwaukee ($88,190), Madison ($86,890).
In Wisconsin, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is projected to be $87,288, which is about 14.2% lower than the national median of $101,775. This discrepancy can be attributed to various factors, including differences in cost of living and supply and demand dynamics within the state. The highest paying city for this profession is Waukesha, with a salary of $92,864, while Wisconsin Rapids offers the lowest at $75,609, creating a salary gap of $17,255. This difference often reflects variations in local demand, healthcare funding, and the presence of educational institutions. State licensing requirements for speech-language pathologists in Wisconsin include holding a master's degree in speech-language pathology, completing a clinical fellowship, and obtaining a state-issued license. These regulations help ensure that professionals meet specific standards of practice. The job market for speech-language pathologists in Wisconsin is generally stable, with an expected annual growth rate of 3.99%, fueled by an increasing awareness of speech and language disorders and a growing elderly population requiring services. Major cities such as Milwaukee ($91,709), Madison ($90,357), Appleton ($85,334), and Racine ($85,209) also present opportunities, reflecting a steady demand for qualified professionals throughout the state.
Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $49,820 (lowest entry-level) to $124,195 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin speech-language pathologists earn 14.23% less than the national median ($-14,486/year difference).
Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Wisconsin range from $63,296 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $113,977 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,289. The Wisconsin median is $14,486 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $41.97/hr. Approximately 2,549 speech-language pathologists are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,097
2025 BLS Actual
$83,939
2026 Current Est.
$87,289
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,097 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,582 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,582 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,997 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,157 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,939 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 16.4% from $72,097 (2019) to $83,939 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,674 (25.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $75,609 |
| Middleton | $76,242 |
| Platteville | $77,061 |
| Mequon | $77,067 |
| River Falls | $77,705 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $92,864 | 93.4 | $99,426 |
| Milwaukee | $91,709 | 96.937 | $94,607 |
| Madison | $90,357 | 97.287 | $92,877 |
| Fond du Lac | $84,929 | 91.643 | $92,674 |
| Appleton | $85,334 | 92.419 | $92,334 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,296 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,289 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $113,977 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $92,864 |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $91,709 |
| 3 | Madison | $90,357 |
| 4 | Appleton | $85,334 |
| 5 | Racine | $85,209 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $85,084 |
| 7 | Fond du Lac | $84,929 |
| 8 | Green Bay | $84,034 |
| 9 | Onalaska | $83,569 |
| 10 | West Allis | $82,531 |
| 11 | La Crosse | $82,464 |
| 12 | Sheboygan | $82,027 |
| 13 | Fitchburg | $81,984 |
| 14 | Greenfield | $81,977 |
| 15 | Oshkosh | $81,913 |
| 16 | Kenosha | $81,695 |
| 17 | Beloit | $81,432 |
| 18 | Menomonee Falls | $81,267 |
| 19 | Janesville | $81,247 |
| 20 | Wausau | $81,143 |
| 21 | Brookfield | $81,075 |
| 22 | West Bend | $81,030 |
| 23 | De Pere | $80,966 |
| 24 | New Berlin | $80,813 |
| 25 | Sun Prairie | $80,127 |
| 26 | Caledonia | $79,910 |
| 27 | Muskego | $79,737 |
| 28 | Stevens Point | $79,366 |
| 29 | Franklin | $79,277 |
| 30 | Oak Creek | $79,027 |
| 31 | Superior | $78,906 |
| 32 | Manitowoc | $78,867 |
| 33 | Eau Claire | $78,866 |
| 34 | Pewaukee | $78,574 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $78,344 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $78,332 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $78,251 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $78,245 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $78,176 |
| 40 | Germantown | $78,120 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $78,090 |
| 42 | River Falls | $77,705 |
| 43 | Mequon | $77,067 |
| 44 | Platteville | $77,061 |
| 45 | Middleton | $76,242 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $75,609 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Wisconsin?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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