Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Moorhead, MN: $83,929 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Moorhead, MN earns a median $83,929/year (≈ $40.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $85,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average speech-language pathologist salary in Moorhead, Minnesota is projected to be $83,929, significantly lower than the national average of $101,775 for the same year. The local salary range spans from $58,206 at the 10th percentile to $115,148 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial variance in compensation based on factors such as setting and experience. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, reflect the unique structure of the job market in Moorhead, which is shaped by the distinct divide between school-based positions, that typically follow the academic calendar, and those in medical settings, where year-round contracts are common. This dynamic presents both challenges and opportunities for professionals in the field looking to advance their careers.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,206 | $27.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,961 | $33.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,929 | $40.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,587 | $45.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,148 | $55.36 |
Median Salary Position
17.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,942 (2026 est.). At $83,929, the local median is 17.53% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $83,929/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $87,245 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.53% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $83,929 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.53% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $87,245.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead 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.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $83,929 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,247
2025 BLS Actual
$80,709
2026 Current Est.
$83,929
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,247 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,197 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,386 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,709 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,929 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,278 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $65,247 (2019) to $80,709 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,278 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,031 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $58,206 – $68,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,961 – $83,929 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,929 – $94,587 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,587 – $115,148 |
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 Moorhead
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Moorhead is relatively small, with only 11 currently employed in the area. Despite this limited number, the cost of living index sits at a slightly below-average 98.5, which impacts the purchasing power of SLPs here. Employers offering the best speech-language pathologist pay in Moorhead include hospital inpatient rehab facilities and skilled nursing facilities, as they typically provide higher salaries compared to school districts, which account for about 55% of SLP jobs in the region. Factors driving salary discrepancies include the setting of employment, with medical positions generally paying more than school contracts, and additional elements like board certifications or telepractice opportunities enhancing earning potential. SLPs interested in maximizing their income in Moorhead would benefit from considering ongoing education and specialty certifications, as well as exploring positions in private practice and teletherapy, which have seen significant growth in recent years.
More salary data for Moorhead, 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 $80,709 for speech-language pathologistsin the Moorhead 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 Moorhead 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