SLP Salary

Barberton vs Columbus: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Barberton, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barberton, OH
$90,857
$43.69/hr
Columbus, OH
$100,309
$48.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarberton, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$90,857$100,309
Hourly Rate$43.69$48.23
Entry Level (P10)$61,116$68,072
25th Percentile$73,255$81,123
75th Percentile$104,310$112,600
Top Earner (P90)$119,436$124,996
Total Employed61,390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barberton ($90,857) and Columbus ($100,309) speech-language pathologist salaries.BarbertonColumbusMedian Salary$90,857$100,309Entry Level (P10)$61,116$68,072Top Earner (P90)$119,436$124,996US Median $101,775

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barberton.

The salary gap between Barberton and Columbus is $9,452 (10.40%). Columbus's median is -1.44% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barberton spans $58,320,Columbus spans $56,924. Barberton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Barberton
P10 (Entry)$61,116
P25$73,255
Median$90,857
P75$104,310
P90 (Top)$119,436
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$68,072
P25$81,123
Median$100,309
P75$112,600
P90 (Top)$124,996

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($105,070 effective) pays 4.89% more than Barberton ($100,173 effective).

Barberton
Nominal: $90,857
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $100,173
Columbus
Nominal: $100,309
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $105,070

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barberton if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,309/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,996)
  • Larger job market (1,390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,070)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Barberton grew 23.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 50.9% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Barberton, OH

+23.7%

$70,616 (2024) → $87,371 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+50.9%

$63,920 (2019) → $96,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Barberton or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $100,309/year, compared to Barberton at $90,857/year — a difference of $9,452 (10.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barberton and Columbus?

Barberton speech-language pathologists earn $43.69/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $48.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barberton to Columbus as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barberton and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barberton = $100,173, Columbus = $105,070), job availability (6 vs 1,390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Barberton vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $61,116 in Barberton and $68,072 in Columbus. The Columbus 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