Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $81,050 a year ($38.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,080 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $97,870. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $81,050. 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 $82,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,180 | $30.37 |
| 25th percentile | $67,530 | $32.46 |
| Median | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| 75th percentile | $90,180 | $43.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Average (mean) | $82,120 | $39.48 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
| Pharmacist | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,990 | $138.46 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,200 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Dentists, General | $163,600 | $78.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | $63.89 |
| Veterinarian | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Chiropractor | $63,280 | $30.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $81,050 a year, or $38.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $103,080 a year. The top 25% earn $90,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,180 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $67,530 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 130 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.