SLP Salary

Albertville vs Birmingham: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Albertville, AL and Birmingham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albertville, AL
$71,752
$34.49/hr
Birmingham, AL
$78,772
$37.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbertville, ALBirmingham, AL
Median Salary$71,752$78,772
Hourly Rate$34.49$37.87
Entry Level (P10)$48,604$63,631
25th Percentile$60,714$68,061
75th Percentile$80,271$98,208
Top Earner (P90)$90,076$120,316
Total Employed4600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albertville ($71,752) and Birmingham ($78,772) speech-language pathologist salaries.AlbertvilleBirminghamMedian Salary$71,752$78,772Entry Level (P10)$48,604$63,631Top Earner (P90)$90,076$120,316US Median $101,775

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Albertville.

The salary gap between Albertville and Birmingham is $7,020 (9.78%). Birmingham's median is -22.60% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albertville spans $41,472,Birmingham spans $56,685. Birmingham has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Albertville
P10 (Entry)$48,604
P25$60,714
Median$71,752
P75$80,271
P90 (Top)$90,076
Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$63,631
P25$68,061
Median$78,772
P75$98,208
P90 (Top)$120,316

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($85,954 effective) pays 5.30% more than Albertville ($81,629 effective).

Albertville
Nominal: $71,752
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $81,629
Birmingham
Nominal: $78,772
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $85,954

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albertville if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,772/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,316)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,954)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Albertville grew 5.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Birmingham over the same period.

Albertville, AL

+5.1%

$65,673 (2024) → $68,999 (2025)

Birmingham, AL

+16.5%

$65,020 (2019) → $75,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Albertville or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $78,772/year, compared to Albertville at $71,752/year — a difference of $7,020 (9.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albertville and Birmingham?

Albertville speech-language pathologists earn $34.49/hr while Birmingham hygienists earn $37.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albertville to Birmingham as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albertville and Birmingham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albertville = $81,629, Birmingham = $85,954), job availability (4 vs 600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Albertville vs Birmingham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $48,604 in Albertville and $63,631 in Birmingham. The Birmingham 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