Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $40.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Great Falls, MT runs $40.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,306 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,978 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, the median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is projected to be $40.05 in 2026. Compared to the national hourly median of $48.93, this figure suggests a notable difference, which can influence work arrangements significantly. For part-time SLPs, working three days a week, this translates to a manageable income while providing flexibility—ideal for those seeking to balance their professional and personal lives. Per-diem positions, often found in various clinical settings such as school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and through telepractice, typically draw hourly rates between $28.25 and $51.37, affording entry-level professionals a pathway into the field while also catering to the highest earners. This data reflects official BLS estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.25 | $226.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.57 | $292.59 |
| Median (P50) | $40.05 | $320.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.77 | $350.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.37 | $410.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $40.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.05/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $83,297 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,056. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,601.86 | $6,941 | $83,297 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $961.12 | $4,165 | $49,978 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $640.74 | $2,777 | $33,319 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Great Falls) | $40.05 |
| Audiologist (National Avg) | $43.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| School / Educational Counselor (National Avg) | $30.85 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $31.40 |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $83,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.15% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 14.90% below the Montana state average of $97,892.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.05/hr = $49,978/year (purchasing power: $51,606).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,297/year (purchasing power: $86,010).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Great Falls grew 23.7% from $31.13/hr (2019) to $38.51/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.64/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great 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.
Working as an Hourly Speech-Language Pathologist in Great Falls
Considering part-time options, a speech-language pathologist working 24 hours weekly in Great Falls could anticipate an annual income that aligns well with their lifestyle choices, but it remains less than that of their full-time counterparts. For per-diem roles, SLPs can often command higher rates; billing in the range of $50-$75/hour is common for visits across settings, with medical speech-language pathologists focusing on dysphagia sometimes earning even more—up to $80-$110/hour. Furthermore, hourly rates vary among employer types, with school districts generally offering lower compensation compared to hospitals or private practices. As some SLPs weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus steadier salaries that include health insurance, every situation is unique. When entering negotiations, being mindful of the local market trends and advocating confidently for one's worth can lead to better hourly compensation in Great Falls, MT.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in Great Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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