Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Mason City, IA: $80,215 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Mason City, IA earns a median $80,215/year (≈ $38.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $88,733 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists working in Mason City, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $80,215, which is significantly lower than the national average of $101,775. The salary range for these professionals varies from $53,587 at the 10th percentile to $105,010 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market depending on the specific work setting and experience. This information is based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. The structural divide between school and medical settings greatly influences earnings, with school contracts typically spanning the academic year while medical positions often offer year-round contracts. These distinctions create notable differences in remuneration that aspiring or current speech-language pathologists should consider when evaluating job opportunities in Mason City's competitive market.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,587 | $25.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,215 | $38.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,827 | $44.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,010 | $50.49 |
Median Salary Position
21.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,423 (2026 est.). At $80,215, the local median is 21.18% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be above the median
How Mason City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Mason City median: $80,215/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $84,704 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -21.18% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Mason City, IA earn a median of $80,215 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.18% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $84,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $80,215 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,733 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,359
2025 BLS Actual
$77,137
2026 Current Est.
$80,215
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,431 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,312 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,316 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,375 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,137 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,215 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,415 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $62,359 (2019) to $77,137 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,056 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $53,587 – $64,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,400 – $80,215 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,215 – $91,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,827 – $105,010 |
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 Mason City
The local job market for speech-language pathologists is relatively modest, with only four employed professionals in Mason City. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can improve overall purchasing power. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation compared to school districts that primarily hire for the academic year. The disparity in pay is driven by factors such as the work setting, specialized certifications, and the growing demand for bilingual SLPs. To maximize earnings in this market, prospective SLPs should consider diversifying their experience across clinical and educational settings, pursuing specialized certifications, or exploring telepractice opportunities that have surged in popularity post-2020, as these strategies can help attract higher compensation packages in Mason City, IA.
More salary data for Mason City, 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 $77,137 for speech-language pathologistsin the Mason City 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 Mason City 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