Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Decatur, IL: $84,856 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Decatur, IL earns a median $84,856/year (≈ $40.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $95,967 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the anticipated median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in Decatur, Illinois, is projected to be $84,856, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,775. This salary reflects a diverse compensation range that spans from $62,488 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $121,585 at the 90th percentile (P90). Data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate a distinct income disparity shaped by the predominant work settings. In Decatur, the market is split primarily between educational institutions and medical facilities, which often dictate compensation levels for SLPs. School districts, which employ approximately 55% of SLPs, typically offer different contracts than medical facilities, leading to variations in yearly earnings and job security for clinicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,488 | $30.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,753 | $31.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,856 | $40.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,018 | $56.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,585 | $58.45 |
Median Salary Position
16.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,097 (2026 est.). At $84,856, the local median is 16.62% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Decatur median: $84,856/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,713 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.62% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Decatur, IL earn a median of $84,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.62% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.00% below the Illinois state average of $85,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,856 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,967 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,200
2025 BLS Actual
$81,600
2026 Current Est.
$84,856
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,856 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 25.2% from $65,200 (2019) to $81,600 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,042 (35.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $62,488 – $65,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,753 – $84,856 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,856 – $118,018 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,018 – $121,585 |
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 Decatur
Looking at the local job market, around 50 speech-language pathologists currently practice in Decatur, Illinois. While the cost of living index stands at 88.422, indicating a more affordable living environment, this can also mean that salaries may reflect local economic conditions. Among various employers, those in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities often provide higher salaries compared to outpatient clinics or school districts. Differences in pay are influenced by setting, contract length, and specialty certifications, such as board certification, which can offer additional stipend opportunities. Telepractice has also increased in popularity, drawing in clinicians who may prefer flexible work arrangements. To maximize compensation in Decatur’s market, SLPs should consider diversifying their skill sets, pursuing specialized certifications, and exploring contracts that offer year-long employment, which tend to provide greater financial stability.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
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 $81,600 for speech-language pathologistsin the Decatur 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
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