Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Iowa
Speech-Language Pathologists in Iowa earn a median of $81,050 a year ($38.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,460 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $97,870. Iowa ranks 43rd of 51 states for Speech-Language pathologists pay. There are 0.98 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| 25th percentile | $70,470 | $33.88 |
| Median | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| 75th percentile | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,460 | $51.19 |
| Average (mean) | $83,760 | $40.27 |
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 | $6,754.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,377.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,117.31 |
| Weekly | $1,558.65 |
| Hourly | $38.97 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $85,030 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $84,080 | 380 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in Iowa is $81,050 a year, or $38.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in Iowa earn at least $106,460 a year. The top 25% earn $95,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,270 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $70,470 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Iowa?
About 1,540 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.