SLP Salary

Berwyn vs Rockford: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Berwyn, IL and Rockford, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Berwyn, IL
$84,697
$40.72/hr
Rockford, IL
$100,600
$48.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBerwyn, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$84,697$100,600
Hourly Rate$40.72$48.37
Entry Level (P10)$51,100$66,897
25th Percentile$69,215$81,726
75th Percentile$97,462$107,962
Top Earner (P90)$112,667$110,708
Total Employed12190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Berwyn ($84,697) and Rockford ($100,600) speech-language pathologist salaries.BerwynRockfordMedian Salary$84,697$100,600Entry Level (P10)$51,100$66,897Top Earner (P90)$112,667$110,708US Median $101,775

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Berwyn.

The salary gap between Berwyn and Rockford is $15,903 (18.78%). Rockford's median is -1.15% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Berwyn spans $61,567,Rockford spans $43,811. Berwyn has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Berwyn
P10 (Entry)$51,100
P25$69,215
Median$84,697
P75$97,462
P90 (Top)$112,667
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$66,897
P25$81,726
Median$100,600
P75$107,962
P90 (Top)$110,708

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($109,165 effective) pays 25.15% more than Berwyn ($87,227 effective).

Berwyn
Nominal: $84,697
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $87,227
Rockford
Nominal: $100,600
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $109,165

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Berwyn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,667)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,600/year)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,165)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Berwyn grew -1.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.5% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Berwyn, IL

+-1.3%

$82,516 (2024) → $81,447 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+32.5%

$73,000 (2019) → $96,740 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Berwyn or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $100,600/year, compared to Berwyn at $84,697/year — a difference of $15,903 (18.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Berwyn and Rockford?

Berwyn speech-language pathologists earn $40.72/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $48.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Berwyn to Rockford as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Berwyn and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Berwyn = $87,227, Rockford = $109,165), job availability (12 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Berwyn vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $51,100 in Berwyn and $66,897 in Rockford. The Rockford area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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