Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in River Falls, WI: $77,705 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in River Falls, WI earns a median $77,705/year (≈ $37.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $83,196 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, the 2026 projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists is set at $77,705. This figure is notably below the national median of $101,775, representing a disparity of 23.65%. The salary range for local professionals extends from $50,446 at the entry-level (P10) to $102,435 for those at the top end of the pay scale (P90). These estimates reflect local labor market conditions and cost-of-living adjustments, which are crucial for prospective speech-language pathologists considering career opportunities in the area. Given that River Falls has a small number of employed SLPs—only five in total—the local job market remains relatively niche, making competitive compensation even more critical for those entering the field.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,446 | $24.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,158 | $30.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,705 | $37.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,954 | $43.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,435 | $49.25 |
Median Salary Position
23.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,989 (2026 est.). At $77,705, the local median is 23.65% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be above the median
How River Falls Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
River Falls median: $77,705/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $82,490 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -23.65% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in River Falls, WI earn a median of $77,705 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.65% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $82,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $77,705 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,196 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,408
2025 BLS Actual
$74,724
2026 Current Est.
$77,705
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,408 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,447 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,241 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,173 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,168 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,724 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,705 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,806 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $60,408 (2019) to $74,724 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,806 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,398 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $50,446 – $64,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,158 – $77,705 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,705 – $89,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,954 – $102,435 |
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 River Falls
The job market for speech-language pathologists in River Falls highlights both opportunities and challenges. Local employers include diverse settings such as school districts, outpatient pediatric clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and telepractice agencies. Each of these can influence overall pay, with school contracts generally offering less than year-round medical positions. The cost of living index in River Falls stands at 93.4, indicating a purchasing power advantage that could make the local salaries more appealing despite being lower than the national average. Tapping into telepractice work, especially, can enhance earnings; many practitioners are finding success in part-time 1099 roles that allow for flexible hours and competitive hourly compensation. Furthermore, seeking board specialty certifications or bilingual capabilities can further elevate pay levels in this market, guiding speech-language pathologists to make strategic choices that optimize their income.
More salary data for River Falls, WI:
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 $74,724 for speech-language pathologistsin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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