Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Illinois
Speech-Language Pathologists in Illinois earn a median of $95,080 a year ($45.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,800 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $97,870. Illinois ranks 22nd of 51 states for Speech-Language pathologists pay. There are 1.5 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,660, close to the median.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| 25th percentile | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Median | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| 75th percentile | $108,330 | $52.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,800 | $59.52 |
| Average (mean) | $92,660 | $44.55 |
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 | $7,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,961.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,656.92 |
| Weekly | $1,828.46 |
| Hourly | $45.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $98,490 | 7,150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $97,900 | 80 |
| Rockford, IL | $96,740 | 190 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $86,480 | 1,630 |
| Bloomington, IL | $84,330 | 130 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $82,570 | 150 |
| Springfield, IL | $82,280 | 160 |
| Peoria, IL | $82,060 | 210 |
| Decatur, IL | $81,600 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,320 | 200 |
| Kankakee, IL | $77,210 | 50 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $73,900 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in Illinois is $95,080 a year, or $45.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in Illinois earn at least $123,800 a year. The top 25% earn $108,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,870 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $76,590 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Illinois?
About 9,040 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.