SLP Salary

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

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

Atlanta, GA
$106,964
$51.42/hr
Marietta, GA
$84,915
$40.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAMarietta, GA
Median Salary$106,964$84,915
Hourly Rate$51.42$40.83
Entry Level (P10)$65,888$57,155
25th Percentile$78,866$68,742
75th Percentile$115,065$100,297
Top Earner (P90)$134,324$117,264
Total Employed2,41015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($106,964) and Marietta ($84,915) speech-language pathologist salaries.AtlantaMariettaMedian Salary$106,964$84,915Entry Level (P10)$65,888$57,155Top Earner (P90)$134,324$117,264US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Marietta is $22,049 (25.97%). 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,Marietta spans $60,109. 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
Marietta
P10 (Entry)$57,155
P25$68,742
Median$84,915
P75$100,297
P90 (Top)$117,264

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($106,902 effective) pays 17.21% more than Marietta ($91,208 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $106,964
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $106,902
Marietta
Nominal: $84,915
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $91,208

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 Marietta 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 6.4% growth in Marietta over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+34.2%

$76,620 (2019) → $102,860 (2025)

Marietta, GA

+6.4%

$76,781 (2024) → $81,657 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlanta has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $106,964/year, compared to Marietta at $84,915/year — a difference of $22,049 (25.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Marietta?

Atlanta speech-language pathologists earn $51.42/hr while Marietta hygienists earn $40.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Marietta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $106,902, Marietta = $91,208), job availability (2,410 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $65,888 in Atlanta and $57,155 in Marietta. 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