Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $84,080 a year ($40.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,350 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $97,870. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $81,050. There are 0.95 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $88,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| 25th percentile | $73,030 | $35.11 |
| Median | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| 75th percentile | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,350 | $59.30 |
| Average (mean) | $88,630 | $42.61 |
Half of Speech-Language pathologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,006.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,503.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,233.85 |
| Weekly | $1,616.92 |
| Hourly | $40.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $85,030 | 30 |
| Ames, IA | $83,170 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $82,650 | 690 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $81,900 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $81,050 | 130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $78,960 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,320 | 200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,550 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for Speech-Language pathologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,970 |
| Colorado | $110,750 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 |
| Washington | $105,550 |
| Nevada | $104,510 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 |
| Delaware | $102,760 |
| Alaska | $102,670 |
| Oregon | $102,660 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 |
See Speech-Language Pathologist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1127. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Speech-Language pathologist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $84,080 a year, or $40.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $123,350 a year. The top 25% earn $101,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,950 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $73,030 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 380 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.