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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
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 #8 of 14 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $100,400 | $79,461 | $80,566 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $112,090 | $83,462 | $78,900 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $99,540 | $78,856 | $76,493 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $102,860 | $76,476 | $76,432 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $100,080 | $76,164 | $74,267 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $98,040 | $75,559 | $73,134 |
| 8 | 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 14 metros →
About the job: speech-language pathologists
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +16.6% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
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 #8 of 14 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
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Pharmacist — $140,880
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,740
- Physician Assistant — $127,940
- Physical Therapist — $105,720
- Registered Nurse — $100,490
- Dental Hygienist — $100,260
- Occupational Therapist — $99,860
- Physicians, All Other — $94,820
- Respiratory Therapist — $87,060
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $82,140
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $78,070