Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $83,523 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $83,523/year (≈ $40.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $86,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Oak Lawn, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $83,523, significantly lower than the national median of $101,775. The local salary range is notable, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $54,882 and experienced professionals earning up to $114,099. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026 and adjusted for regional costs. Specialists in dysphagia and other medical-focused aspects of speech-language pathology tend to command higher pay, reflecting the critical need for these skills in medical settings. Given the growing demand for qualified SLPs in health care and rehabilitation, those with the appropriate qualifications may find a robust job market in Oak Lawn.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,882 | $26.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,041 | $31.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,523 | $40.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,907 | $47.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,099 | $54.85 |
Median Salary Position
17.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,217 (2026 est.). At $83,523, the local median is 17.93% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $83,523/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,752 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.93% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $83,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.93% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $85,752.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $83,523 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,931
2025 BLS Actual
$80,318
2026 Current Est.
$83,523
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,881 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,277 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,318 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,523 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,931 (2019) to $80,318 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,924 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $54,882 – $65,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,041 – $83,523 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,523 – $97,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,907 – $114,099 |
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 Oak Lawn
The job market in Oak Lawn currently employs 14 speech-language pathologists, suggesting a competitive yet tight labor pool amidst regional employment realities. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power of salaries may be more favorable than what the base figures imply. Competitive employers include local hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient pediatric clinics, typically offering higher salaries compared to school districts and private practices. Factors driving salary variation include the work setting—medical environments typically provide better compensation than educational settings—as well as contract length, with school-based SLPs often facing a shorter school-year contract. To maximize their earnings in Oak Lawn, speech-language pathologists are encouraged to explore opportunities in telepractice, pursue bilingual certifications, and consider positions that offer year-round contracts or specialty stipends.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $80,318 for speech-language pathologistsin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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