SLP Salary

Baton Rouge vs Sulphur: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Sulphur, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$67,614
$32.51/hr
Sulphur, LA
$65,715
$31.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LASulphur, LA
Median Salary$67,614$65,715
Hourly Rate$32.51$31.59
Entry Level (P10)$55,915$46,161
25th Percentile$62,893$54,219
75th Percentile$87,320$74,643
Top Earner (P90)$109,200$84,317
Total Employed6105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($67,614) and Sulphur ($65,715) speech-language pathologist salaries.Baton RougeSulphurMedian Salary$67,614$65,715Entry Level (P10)$55,915$46,161Top Earner (P90)$109,200$84,317US Median $101,775

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sulphur.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Sulphur is $1,899 (2.89%). Baton Rouge's median is -33.57% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $53,285,Sulphur spans $38,156. Baton Rouge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$55,915
P25$62,893
Median$67,614
P75$87,320
P90 (Top)$109,200
Sulphur
P10 (Entry)$46,161
P25$54,219
Median$65,715
P75$74,643
P90 (Top)$84,317

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baton Rouge ($74,481 effective) pays 2.35% more than Sulphur ($72,774 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $67,614
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $74,481
Sulphur
Nominal: $65,715
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $72,774

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,614/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,200)
  • Larger job market (610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,481)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Sulphur if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Baton Rouge grew -25.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.7% growth in Sulphur over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+-25.9%

$87,770 (2019) → $65,020 (2025)

Sulphur, LA

+-7.7%

$68,470 (2024) → $63,194 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Baton Rouge or Sulphur?

Baton Rouge has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $67,614/year, compared to Sulphur at $65,715/year — a difference of $1,899 (2.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Sulphur?

Baton Rouge speech-language pathologists earn $32.51/hr while Sulphur hygienists earn $31.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Sulphur as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Sulphur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $74,481, Sulphur = $72,774), job availability (610 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Baton Rouge vs Sulphur?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $55,915 in Baton Rouge and $46,161 in Sulphur. The Baton Rouge 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