SLP Salary

Atlanta vs Augusta: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Atlanta, GA and Augusta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$106,964
$51.42/hr
Augusta, GA
$86,260
$41.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAAugusta, GA
Median Salary$106,964$86,260
Hourly Rate$51.42$41.47
Entry Level (P10)$65,888$62,176
25th Percentile$78,866$67,729
75th Percentile$115,065$106,964
Top Earner (P90)$134,324$120,545
Total Employed2,410260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($106,964) and Augusta ($86,260) speech-language pathologist salaries.AtlantaAugustaMedian Salary$106,964$86,260Entry Level (P10)$65,888$62,176Top Earner (P90)$134,324$120,545US Median $101,775

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Augusta is $20,704 (24.00%). Atlanta's median is +5.10% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $68,436,Augusta spans $58,369. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$65,888
P25$78,866
Median$106,964
P75$115,065
P90 (Top)$134,324
Augusta
P10 (Entry)$62,176
P25$67,729
Median$86,260
P75$106,964
P90 (Top)$120,545

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($106,902 effective) pays 13.90% more than Augusta ($93,860 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $106,964
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $106,902
Augusta
Nominal: $86,260
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $93,860

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,964/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,324)
  • Larger job market (2,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,902)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Augusta if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Atlanta grew 34.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.9% growth in Augusta over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+34.2%

$76,620 (2019) → $102,860 (2025)

Augusta, GA

+4.9%

$79,090 (2019) → $82,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Atlanta or Augusta?

Atlanta has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $106,964/year, compared to Augusta at $86,260/year — a difference of $20,704 (24.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Augusta?

Atlanta speech-language pathologists earn $51.42/hr while Augusta hygienists earn $41.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Augusta as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Augusta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $106,902, Augusta = $93,860), job availability (2,410 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Atlanta vs Augusta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $65,888 in Atlanta and $62,176 in Augusta. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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