SLP Salary

Aiken vs Greenville: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Aiken, SC and Greenville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aiken, SC
$91,373
$43.93/hr
Greenville, SC
$92,146
$44.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAiken, SCGreenville, SC
Median Salary$91,373$92,146
Hourly Rate$43.93$44.30
Entry Level (P10)$60,474$54,116
25th Percentile$72,940$79,064
75th Percentile$106,164$109,366
Top Earner (P90)$122,184$123,405
Total Employed4330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aiken ($91,373) and Greenville ($92,146) speech-language pathologist salaries.AikenGreenvilleMedian Salary$91,373$92,146Entry Level (P10)$60,474$54,116Top Earner (P90)$122,184$123,405US Median $101,775

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Aiken.

The salary gap between Aiken and Greenville is $773 (0.85%). Greenville's median is -9.46% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aiken spans $61,710,Greenville spans $69,289. Greenville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Aiken
P10 (Entry)$60,474
P25$72,940
Median$91,373
P75$106,164
P90 (Top)$122,184
Greenville
P10 (Entry)$54,116
P25$79,064
Median$92,146
P75$109,366
P90 (Top)$123,405

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aiken ($99,861 effective) pays 1.07% more than Greenville ($98,805 effective).

Aiken
Nominal: $91,373
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $99,861
Greenville
Nominal: $92,146
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $98,805

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aiken if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,861)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,146/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,405)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Aiken grew 21.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Greenville over the same period.

Aiken, SC

+21.1%

$72,586 (2024) → $87,867 (2025)

Greenville, SC

+13.1%

$78,370 (2019) → $88,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Aiken or Greenville?

Greenville has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $92,146/year, compared to Aiken at $91,373/year — a difference of $773 (0.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aiken and Greenville?

Aiken speech-language pathologists earn $43.93/hr while Greenville hygienists earn $44.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aiken to Greenville as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aiken and Greenville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aiken = $99,861, Greenville = $98,805), job availability (4 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Aiken vs Greenville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $60,474 in Aiken and $54,116 in Greenville. The Aiken area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov