Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Austin, MN: $82,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Austin, MN earns a median $82,541/year (≈ $39.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $83,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Austin, Minnesota, is projected to reach a median of $82,541, reflecting a significant contrast to the national median of $101,775. This regional figure incorporates a salary range from $52,178 at the 10th percentile to $107,901 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating the diverse earning potential within the profession. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these estimates also consider adjustments for local economic factors. The job market in Austin is characterized by the school versus medical divide, which influences salary structures; school-based SLPs typically work under yearly contracts, while medical settings often provide year-round contracts, leading to disparities in earnings.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,178 | $25.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,337 | $30.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,541 | $39.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,396 | $45.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,901 | $51.88 |
Median Salary Position
18.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,723 (2026 est.). At $82,541, the local median is 18.9% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Austin median: $82,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $87,253 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.90% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Austin, MN earn a median of $82,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.90% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $87,253.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,541 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,798 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,167
2025 BLS Actual
$79,374
2026 Current Est.
$82,541
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,167 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,119 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,415 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,834 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,167 (2019) to $79,374 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,667 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $52,178 – $64,337 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,337 – $82,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,541 – $94,396 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,396 – $107,901 |
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 Austin
With only four speech-language pathologists currently employed in the area, the local job market for this profession reflects a stable but niche landscape. The cost of living index in Austin is 98.5, which means expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing for reasonable purchasing power with the local salary. Among the employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay, as they often require specialized skills such as dysphagia treatment. In contrast, school districts, while providing steady employment, generally offer lower compensation. The variation between salaries can be attributed to factors such as work setting—medical positions tend to command more than those in education—as well as contract types and specific qualifications like bilingual SLP status. For aspiring or current SLPs, enhancing skills through board specialty certifications or pursuing opportunities in telepractice may be effective strategies to maximize pay in Austin, MN.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
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 $79,374 for speech-language pathologistsin the Austin 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 Austin 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