Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Speech-Language Pathologists in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$95,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $97,870
State Rank
#22 of 51
9,040 employed here

How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in Illinois?

A Speech-Language Pathologist working in Illinois earns a median salary of $95,080 per year, or about $45.71 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $97,870 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $60,870 while the top 10% make $123,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,590 and $108,330 a year.

Speech-Language Pathologist salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$60,870$29.26
25th percentile (early career)$76,590$36.82
50th percentile (median)$95,080$45.71
75th percentile (experienced)$108,330$52.08
90th percentile (top earners)$123,800$59.52

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories for Speech-Language Pathologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$118,970
2Colorado$110,750
3District of Columbia$109,380
4Washington$105,550
5Nevada$104,510

Working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Illinois

Nationally, about 183,000 people work as Speech-Language Pathologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($95,080) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in Illinois?
The median Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Illinois is $95,080 per year, or about $45.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,870 at the entry level to $123,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Speech-Language Pathologists about 3% less than the national median of $97,870. Illinois ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Speech-Language Pathologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $95,080 a year. About 9,040 Speech-Language Pathologists are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Speech-Language Pathologist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.