Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Jackson, MI: $96,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Jackson, MI earns a median $96,326/year (≈ $46.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $104,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the projected salary for speech-language pathologists in Jackson, MI, is estimated to be $96,326, positioning it slightly below the national median of $101,775. The local salary range presents a considerable spectrum, from $68,477 at the lower 10th percentile to $112,257 at the upper 90th percentile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrates the robust earning potential for professionals in this field, particularly for those specializing in dysphagia and medical settings. This specialization enhances marketability and often results in higher compensation, reflecting the demand for SLPs capable of addressing complex medical cases within the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,477 | $32.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,026 | $39.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,326 | $46.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,794 | $49.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,257 | $53.97 |
Median Salary Position
5.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,780 (2026 est.). At $96,326, the local median is 5.35% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be above the median
How Jackson Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Jackson median: $96,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $90,617 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -5.35% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Jackson, MI earn a median of $96,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.35% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 6.30% above the Michigan state average of $90,617.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 8.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.779 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $96,326 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,840
2025 BLS Actual
$92,630
2026 Current Est.
$96,326
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -9.0% from $101,840 (2019) to $92,630 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,671 (-1.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $68,477 – $83,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,026 – $96,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,326 – $102,794 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,794 – $112,257 |
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 Jackson
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Jackson is anchored by approximately 80 employed professionals across various settings. Given the cost-of-living index of 91.779, practitioners have a unique advantage regarding purchasing power compared to national averages, allowing them to stretch their salaries further. Among local employers, hospital settings—especially those focused on inpatient rehabilitation—tend to offer the most competitive pay. Other sectors like early intervention programs and private practices typically offer lower salaries, while the school districts, which employ a significant share of SLPs in the area, often present year-round contracts that might not appeal to those seeking optimal compensation. Factors such as bilingual capabilities, board specialty certifications, and telepractice roles—which have gained traction since 2020—also considerably influence earning potential. For SLPs in Jackson, pursuing lucrative positions in medical settings or expanding qualifications for specialized certifications can be effective strategies for maximizing pay.
More salary data for Jackson, MI:
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 $92,630 for speech-language pathologistsin the Jackson 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