SLP Salary

Austin vs Brownsville: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Austin, TX and Brownsville, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$110,531
$53.14/hr
Brownsville, TX
$104,968
$50.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXBrownsville, TX
Median Salary$110,531$104,968
Hourly Rate$53.14$50.47
Entry Level (P10)$80,197$69,382
25th Percentile$103,064$81,310
75th Percentile$131,287$123,405
Top Earner (P90)$131,287$137,901
Total Employed2,860270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($110,531) and Brownsville ($104,968) speech-language pathologist salaries.AustinBrownsvilleMedian Salary$110,531$104,968Entry Level (P10)$80,197$69,382Top Earner (P90)$131,287$137,901US Median $101,775

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brownsville.

The salary gap between Austin and Brownsville is $5,563 (5.30%). Austin's median is +8.60% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $51,090,Brownsville spans $68,519. Brownsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$80,197
P25$103,064
Median$110,531
P75$131,287
P90 (Top)$131,287
Brownsville
P10 (Entry)$69,382
P25$81,310
Median$104,968
P75$123,405
P90 (Top)$137,901

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brownsville ($122,091 effective) pays 8.32% more than Austin ($112,711 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $110,531
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $112,711
Brownsville
Nominal: $104,968
CoL Index: 85.975
Adjusted: $122,091

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,531/year)
  • Larger job market (2,860 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Brownsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($137,901)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,091)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Austin grew 54.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.5% growth in Brownsville over the same period.

Austin, TX

+54.3%

$68,900 (2019) → $106,290 (2025)

Brownsville, TX

+41.5%

$71,330 (2019) → $100,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Austin or Brownsville?

Austin has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $110,531/year, compared to Brownsville at $104,968/year — a difference of $5,563 (5.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Brownsville?

Austin speech-language pathologists earn $53.14/hr while Brownsville hygienists earn $50.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Brownsville as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Brownsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $112,711, Brownsville = $122,091), job availability (2,860 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Austin vs Brownsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $80,197 in Austin and $69,382 in Brownsville. The Austin 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