Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $81,821 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $81,821/year (≈ $39.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $90,510 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those working as speech-language pathologists in Council Bluffs, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $81,821, reflecting the localized economic conditions based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. With salaries ranging from $52,612 on the low end (P10) to as much as $110,334 at the high end (P90), the financial prospects for SLPs in the area offer considerable variation. The cost of living index in Council Bluffs stands at 90.4, indicating a below-average cost of living compared to the national benchmark. Local opportunities, especially in telepractice, are becoming increasingly vital as many professionals seek supplemental income through remote work, enhancing their overall compensation strategies in this evolving job market.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,612 | $25.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,642 | $31.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,821 | $39.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,840 | $46.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,334 | $53.05 |
Median Salary Position
19.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,722 (2026 est.). At $81,821, the local median is 19.61% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be above the median
How Council Bluffs Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $81,821/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,701 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -19.61% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $81,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.61% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $84,701.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $81,821 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,510 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,608
2025 BLS Actual
$78,682
2026 Current Est.
$81,821
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,608 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,644 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,784 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,682 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,821 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,086 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $63,608 (2019) to $78,682 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,086 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,478 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $52,612 – $64,642 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,642 – $81,821 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,821 – $96,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,840 – $110,334 |
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 Council Bluffs
Presently, Council Bluffs employs around 12 speech-language pathologists, showcasing a stable job market amid growing demand for services. While the lower cost of living slightly enhances purchasing power, professionals should be aware of the disparity in pay across different sectors. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically provide higher compensation than school districts, which account for a significant portion of the workforce. Factors such as board specialty certification and bilingual capabilities can also impact earnings. To maximize pay in this market, SLPs should consider pursuing additional credentials, engaging in telepractice opportunities, or negotiating contracts with school systems to work year-round, thus increasing their financial viability in the Council Bluffs area.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
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 $78,682 for speech-language pathologistsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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