SLP Salary

Atlantic City vs Hamilton: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Hamilton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$88,995
$42.79/hr
Hamilton, NJ
$113,960
$54.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJHamilton, NJ
Median Salary$88,995$113,960
Hourly Rate$42.79$54.79
Entry Level (P10)$68,342$74,779
25th Percentile$77,171$90,897
75th Percentile$109,990$133,322
Top Earner (P90)$136,050$154,803
Total Employed17021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($88,995) and Hamilton ($113,960) speech-language pathologist salaries.Atlantic CityHamiltonMedian Salary$88,995$113,960Entry Level (P10)$68,342$74,779Top Earner (P90)$136,050$154,803US Median $101,775

Verdict

Hamilton, NJ offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Hamilton is $24,965 (28.05%). Hamilton's median is +11.97% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $67,708,Hamilton spans $80,024. Hamilton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$68,342
P25$77,171
Median$88,995
P75$109,990
P90 (Top)$136,050
Hamilton
P10 (Entry)$74,779
P25$90,897
Median$113,960
P75$133,322
P90 (Top)$154,803

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hamilton ($98,924 effective) pays 9.89% more than Atlantic City ($90,024 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $88,995
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $90,024
Hamilton
Nominal: $113,960
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $98,924

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Hamilton if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,960/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($154,803)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,924)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Atlantic City grew -2.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.1% growth in Hamilton over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+-2.3%

$87,630 (2019) → $85,580 (2025)

Hamilton, NJ

+-0.1%

$109,733 (2024) → $109,587 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Atlantic City or Hamilton?

Hamilton has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $113,960/year, compared to Atlantic City at $88,995/year — a difference of $24,965 (28.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Hamilton?

Atlantic City speech-language pathologists earn $42.79/hr while Hamilton hygienists earn $54.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Hamilton as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Hamilton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $90,024, Hamilton = $98,924), job availability (170 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Atlantic City vs Hamilton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $68,342 in Atlantic City and $74,779 in Hamilton. The Hamilton 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