SLP Salary

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

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

Austin, TX
$110,531
$53.14/hr
Garland, TX
$100,177
$48.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXGarland, TX
Median Salary$110,531$100,177
Hourly Rate$53.14$48.16
Entry Level (P10)$80,197$59,210
25th Percentile$103,064$75,294
75th Percentile$131,287$117,363
Top Earner (P90)$131,287$148,606
Total Employed2,86043
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($110,531) and Garland ($100,177) speech-language pathologist salaries.AustinGarlandMedian Salary$110,531$100,177Entry Level (P10)$80,197$59,210Top Earner (P90)$131,287$148,606US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and Garland is $10,354 (10.34%). 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,Garland spans $89,396. Garland 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
Garland
P10 (Entry)$59,210
P25$75,294
Median$100,177
P75$117,363
P90 (Top)$148,606

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($112,711 effective) pays 8.01% more than Garland ($104,351 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $110,531
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $112,711
Garland
Nominal: $100,177
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $104,351

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,711)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Garland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($148,606)
  • 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 9.7% growth in Garland over the same period.

Austin, TX

+54.3%

$68,900 (2019) → $106,290 (2025)

Garland, TX

+9.7%

$87,791 (2024) → $96,333 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $110,531/year, compared to Garland at $100,177/year — a difference of $10,354 (10.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Garland?

Austin speech-language pathologists earn $53.14/hr while Garland hygienists earn $48.16/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Garland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $112,711, Garland = $104,351), job availability (2,860 vs 43 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $80,197 in Austin and $59,210 in Garland. 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