Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Owatonna, MN: $86,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Owatonna, MN earns a median $86,631/year (≈ $41.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $87,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for a speech-language pathologist in Owatonna, Minnesota, is $86,631, which reflects a notable variance compared to the national average of $101,775; this indicates a local pay rate that is approximately 14.88% lower than the national median. Salaries in this region can range from $54,889 for the lowest earners (P10) to $112,750 for those at the higher end of the scale (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight the divide between settings in the field. School districts predominantly employ SLPs, accounting for about 55% of the market, but they often offer contracts that align with the academic calendar, impacting annual earnings for those who work in educational environments versus medical facilities which typically provide year-round positions.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,889 | $26.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,347 | $32.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,631 | $41.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,033 | $47.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,750 | $54.21 |
Median Salary Position
14.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,861 (2026 est.). At $86,631, the local median is 14.88% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be above the median
How Owatonna Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $86,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $87,242 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -14.88% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $86,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.88% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $87,242.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna 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.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $86,631 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,950 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$67,347
2025 BLS Actual
$83,307
2026 Current Est.
$86,631
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,347 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,505 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,296 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,004 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,091 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,307 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $67,347 (2019) to $83,307 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,741 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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) | $54,889 – $67,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,347 – $86,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,631 – $99,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,033 – $112,750 |
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 Owatonna
As of 2026, Owatonna has a small market with only six employed speech-language pathologists, creating a tight-knit community that may also influence compensation dynamics. The cost of living in Owatonna is slightly below the national average, with an index of 98.5, which can help stretch salaries further in terms of purchasing power. In this setting, employers that typically provide the highest pay rates include hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities, particularly for specialists addressing dysphagia. Factors contributing to the discrepancy in earnings include contract types, with medical settings often offering higher compensation than schools; telepractice opportunities have also emerged strongly post-2020, allowing for 1099 hourly rates that can vary significantly based on demand and specialties. For those looking to maximize pay, pursuing board certification or additional skills such as bilingual proficiency can enhance opportunities in an evolving field.
More salary data for Owatonna, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Owatonna, MN in 2026?
Is Owatonna, MN a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Owatonna?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Owatonna?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Owatonna?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $83,307 for speech-language pathologistsin the Owatonna 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 Owatonna 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