Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Fargo, ND: $79,698 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Fargo, ND earns a median $79,698/year (≈ $38.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $87,705 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.9% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the projected median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2026 stands at $79,698, representing a notable contrast to the national median of $101,775. The salary range for this role varies significantly, spanning from $52,765 at the 10th percentile to $107,474 at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the regional market dynamics, particularly the influence of dysphagia and medical specialties, which command premium rates in this field. The Fargo job market also benefits from a variety of employment settings, giving professionals opportunities to increase their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,765 | $25.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,077 | $31.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,698 | $38.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,289 | $44.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,474 | $51.67 |
Median Salary Position
21.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,709 (2026 est.). At $79,698, the local median is 21.69% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Fargo median: $79,698/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $93,652 | -14.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -21.69% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Fargo, ND earn a median of $79,698 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.69% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 14.90% below the North Dakota state average of $93,652.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $79,698 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,705 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,750
2025 BLS Actual
$76,640
2026 Current Est.
$79,698
2019–2027 Growth
+22.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,698 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,878 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 13.1% from $67,750 (2019) to $76,640 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,878 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,128 (22.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $52,765 – $65,077 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,077 – $79,698 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,698 – $93,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,289 – $107,474 |
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 Fargo
Considering the local job market, there are approximately 190 speech-language pathologists employed in Fargo, making the field somewhat competitive. The cost-of-living index in Fargo is 90.871, which is below the national average, allowing for a more favorable purchasing power relative to salary. Notably, employers such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient pediatric clinics tend to offer the highest salaries in the area. Factors that contribute to pay disparities include the setting of employment—medical roles generally pay more than school district positions—and the potential for year-round contracts versus school-year contracts. Additionally, board specialty certification and telepractice can provide extra financial incentives. To maximize earnings, SLPs could consider pursuing medical certification or supplemental work in telepractice, aligning with the ongoing growth in remote healthcare services in the region.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 $76,640 for speech-language pathologistsin the Fargo 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