Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lombard, IL: $83,053 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Lombard, IL earns a median $83,053/year (≈ $39.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Lombard's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $85,533 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Lombard, IL, is projected to reach a median of $83,053, representing a competitive earning potential in a local market characterized by distinct structural divides between school-based and medical practice settings. With salaries ranging from $51,767 at the 10th percentile to $112,411 at the 90th percentile, the figures highlight a robust salary spectrum reflecting varied roles and contract types. Local estimates derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors suggest that the job market for speech-language pathologists here is influenced heavily by the tenure of school-year versus year-round contracts, impacting overall job security and hourly compensation.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,767 | $24.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,994 | $33.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,053 | $39.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,321 | $46.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,411 | $54.04 |
Median Salary Position
18.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lombard
In Lombard, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,644 (2026 est.). At $83,053, the local median is 18.4% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lombard: You'd be above the median
How Lombard Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Lombard median: $83,053/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lombard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,710 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.40% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Lombard, IL earn a median of $83,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.40% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $85,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lombard has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lombard, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $83,053 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,533 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,565
2025 BLS Actual
$79,866
2026 Current Est.
$83,053
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,565 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,516 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,662 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,864 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,053 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,366 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lombard metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,565 (2019) to $79,866 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,366 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,801 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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) | $51,767 – $68,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,994 – $83,053 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,053 – $97,321 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,321 – $112,411 |
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 Lombard
Analyzing the local job market, Lombard employs eight speech-language pathologists, suggesting a tight-knit community within the profession. The area's cost of living index is 97.1, below the national average, which affects take-home pay and purchasing power for local SLPs. Among the various employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation than school districts, which significantly represent the demographic landscape. In general, this pay gap can be attributed to greater responsibilities related to medical SLP roles as compared to school settings. SLPs can maximize their earnings by seeking positions that provide year-round contracts, advanced certifications, bilingual abilities, or opportunities in telepractice, which has gained traction since the pandemic. Understanding these nuances can help clinicians better navigate their choices in Lombard IL.
More salary data for Lombard, 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 $79,866 for speech-language pathologistsin the Lombard 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 Lombard 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