Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Chicago, IL
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $98,490 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,387 take-home, or $6,116 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,838
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,106
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,428
- Illinois income tax$4,730
- Take-home pay$73,387
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,470 | $30.03 | $49,427 | $4,119 |
| 25th percentile | $77,960 | $37.48 | $59,961 | $4,997 |
| Median (50th) | $98,490 | $47.35 | $73,387 | $6,116 |
| 75th percentile | $109,640 | $52.71 | $80,679 | $6,723 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,400 | $59.81 | $90,280 | $7,523 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,490 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $73,387 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,841 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× the national concentration of speech-language pathologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #48 of 71 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Paso, TX | $99,430 | $78,779 | $87,618 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $103,420 | $78,084 | $83,894 |
| 4 | McAllen, TX | $89,860 | $72,047 | $83,877 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $132,720 | $92,141 | $83,444 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $126,360 | $88,468 | $82,937 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $104,510 | $82,353 | $82,176 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $98,900 | $76,469 | $81,416 |
| 48 | Chicago, IL | $98,490 | $73,387 | $70,841 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Chicago, IL?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $98,490 a year, or about $47.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,960 and $109,640.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $98,490 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $73,387 a year ($6,116 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,730 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,841 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #48 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Veterinarian — $148,730
- Optometrist — $145,630
- Pharmacist — $140,880