SLP Salary

Altus vs Lawton: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Altus, OK and Lawton, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Altus, OK
$85,780
$41.24/hr
Lawton, OK
$104,427
$50.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAltus, OKLawton, OK
Median Salary$85,780$104,427
Hourly Rate$41.24$50.21
Entry Level (P10)$56,497$66,574
25th Percentile$68,111$80,738
75th Percentile$94,983$116,739
Top Earner (P90)$113,858$134,844
Total Employed540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Altus ($85,780) and Lawton ($104,427) speech-language pathologist salaries.AltusLawtonMedian Salary$85,780$104,427Entry Level (P10)$56,497$66,574Top Earner (P90)$113,858$134,844US Median $101,775

Verdict

Lawton, OK offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Altus.

The salary gap between Altus and Lawton is $18,647 (21.74%). Lawton's median is +2.61% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Altus spans $57,361,Lawton spans $68,270. Lawton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Altus
P10 (Entry)$56,497
P25$68,111
Median$85,780
P75$94,983
P90 (Top)$113,858
Lawton
P10 (Entry)$66,574
P25$80,738
Median$104,427
P75$116,739
P90 (Top)$134,844

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($121,510 effective) pays 25.93% more than Altus ($96,490 effective).

Altus
Nominal: $85,780
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $96,490
Lawton
Nominal: $104,427
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $121,510

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Altus if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Lawton if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,427/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,844)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $121,510)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Altus grew 19.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 54.1% growth in Lawton over the same period.

Altus, OK

+19.4%

$69,113 (2024) → $82,489 (2025)

Lawton, OK

+54.1%

$65,160 (2019) → $100,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Altus or Lawton?

Lawton has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,427/year, compared to Altus at $85,780/year — a difference of $18,647 (21.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Altus and Lawton?

Altus speech-language pathologists earn $41.24/hr while Lawton hygienists earn $50.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Altus to Lawton as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Altus and Lawton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Altus = $96,490, Lawton = $121,510), job availability (5 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Altus vs Lawton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $56,497 in Altus and $66,574 in Lawton. The Lawton 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