Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Madison, WI: $90,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Madison, WI earns a median $90,357/year (≈ $43.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $92,877 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Madison, Wisconsin is $90,357, which is below the national median of $101,775. This median reflects the local market dynamics, with salaries ranging from $67,323 at the 10th percentile to $124,195 at the 90th percentile. Madison's speech-language pathologist pay demonstrates a clear structural divide between those employed in school districts and those working within medical settings. While many SLPs in the region are likely working under school-year contracts, those in medical facilities typically enjoy year-round positions, supporting a wider range of salary opportunities. This differentiation highlights the distinct career pathways available in Madison’s job market for these clinicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,323 | $32.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,599 | $36.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,357 | $43.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,505 | $51.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,195 | $59.71 |
Median Salary Position
11.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,872 (2026 est.). At $90,357, the local median is 11.22% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Madison median: $90,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $82,442 | +9.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -11.22% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Madison, WI earn a median of $90,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 9.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $82,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $90,357 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,877 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,010
2025 BLS Actual
$86,890
2026 Current Est.
$90,357
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,962 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 17.4% from $74,010 (2019) to $86,890 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,962 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,952 (26.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $67,323 – $76,599 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,599 – $90,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,357 – $107,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,505 – $124,195 |
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 Madison
The local job market comprises approximately 410 speech-language pathologists, and the cost of living index for Madison sits at 97.287, suggesting a slightly lower-than-average expense for essential goods and services compared to the national average. In this environment, employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and specialized outpatient pediatric clinics tend to offer the highest salaries due to the increased demand for services in more intensive settings. In contrast, positions in public school systems typically offer lower compensation, reflecting the school-year contract structure. Higher salaries in Madison are also driven by factors such as board specialty certification stipends and the rise in telepractice opportunities since 2020. For SLPs looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional certifications, exploring telepractice roles, or seeking employment in high-need medical settings can be effective strategies in this regional market.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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 $86,890 for speech-language pathologistsin the Madison 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