SLP Salary

Anderson vs Fort Wayne: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Anderson, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anderson, IN
$85,595
$41.15/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$86,520
$41.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnderson, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$85,595$86,520
Hourly Rate$41.15$41.60
Entry Level (P10)$57,010$53,773
25th Percentile$68,840$71,691
75th Percentile$102,522$107,505
Top Earner (P90)$120,572$131,412
Total Employed11270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anderson ($85,595) and Fort Wayne ($86,520) speech-language pathologist salaries.AndersonFort WayneMedian Salary$85,595$86,520Entry Level (P10)$57,010$53,773Top Earner (P90)$120,572$131,412US Median $101,775

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Anderson.

The salary gap between Anderson and Fort Wayne is $925 (1.08%). Fort Wayne's median is -14.99% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anderson spans $63,562,Fort Wayne spans $77,639. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Anderson
P10 (Entry)$57,010
P25$68,840
Median$85,595
P75$102,522
P90 (Top)$120,572
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$53,773
P25$71,691
Median$86,520
P75$107,505
P90 (Top)$131,412

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anderson ($93,751 effective) pays 0.31% more than Fort Wayne ($93,462 effective).

Anderson
Nominal: $85,595
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $93,751
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $86,520
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $93,462

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anderson if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,751)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,520/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,412)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Anderson grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.8% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Anderson, IN

+12.5%

$73,178 (2024) → $82,311 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+11.8%

$74,430 (2019) → $83,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Anderson or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $86,520/year, compared to Anderson at $85,595/year — a difference of $925 (1.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anderson and Fort Wayne?

Anderson speech-language pathologists earn $41.15/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $41.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anderson to Fort Wayne as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anderson and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anderson = $93,751, Fort Wayne = $93,462), job availability (11 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Anderson vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $57,010 in Anderson and $53,773 in Fort Wayne. The Anderson 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