Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Onalaska, WI: $40.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Onalaska, WI runs $40.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,569 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Onalaska's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,147 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Onalaska, Wisconsin, aspiring speech-language pathologists can expect a median hourly rate of $40.18 as of 2026, which falls below the national median of $48.93. This hourly wage translates to various work arrangements. For part-time practitioners working three days a week, typically totaling around 24 hours, the financial picture may not rival full-time positions, yet it still offers reasonable compensation for school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, or telepractice setups. The hourly rate spans from approximately $26.65 for entry-level positions to around $50.02 for seasoned professionals in the community. Speech-language pathologists often benefit from flexible work schedules, especially in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, early intervention programs, and hospital environments.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.65 | $213.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.71 | $269.71 |
| Median (P50) | $40.18 | $321.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.68 | $357.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.02 | $400.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Onalaska
Based on $40.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.18/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Onalaska, WI can expect to earn approximately $83,578 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,218. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Onalaska.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Onalaska
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,607.27 | $6,965 | $83,578 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $964.36 | $4,179 | $50,147 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $642.91 | $2,786 | $33,431 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Onalaska) | $40.18 |
| 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 Onalaska, WI earn a median of $83,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.89% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $82,497.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.18/hr = $50,147/year (purchasing power: $53,690).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,578/year (purchasing power: $89,484).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Onalaska grew 23.7% from $31.24/hr (2019) to $38.64/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.78/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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska
Earning potential for a part-time speech-language pathologist in Onalaska can reach approximately $49,000 annually, significantly lower than the take-home pay of full-time counterparts. Per diem speech-language pathologist pay in the area typically ranges from $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia commanding rates between $80 and $110 in private practices. Furthermore, hourly compensation might differ across various employer types; while school districts, which employ around 55% of SLPs, provide more stable conditions, healthcare environments like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities often offer higher compensations at a trade-off of benefits. It's wise for speech-language pathologists negotiating their hourly rates to consider their total compensation package, balancing hourly wages against benefits such as health insurance—a factor that can influence job satisfaction and overall financial wellbeing in Onalaska’s competitive market.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Onalaska in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Onalaska?
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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 Onalaska. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Onalaska 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