Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$81,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $97,870
State Rank
#43 of 51
1,540 employed here

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

Speech-Language Pathologists in Iowa take home a median of $81,050 annually — roughly $38.97 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $97,870.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $63,270 while the top 10% make $106,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $70,470 and $95,970 a year.

Speech-Language Pathologist salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$63,270$30.42
25th percentile (early career)$70,470$33.88
50th percentile (median)$81,050$38.97
75th percentile (experienced)$95,970$46.14
90th percentile (top earners)$106,460$51.18

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 43rd 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 Iowa

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 Iowa pay ($81,050) 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 Iowa?
The median Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Iowa is $81,050 per year, or about $38.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,270 at the entry level to $106,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Speech-Language Pathologists about 17% less than the national median of $97,870. Iowa ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Speech-Language Pathologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,050 a year. About 1,540 Speech-Language Pathologists are employed in Iowa. 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 Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.