SLP Salary

Birmingham vs Northport: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Northport, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$78,772
$37.87/hr
Northport, AL
$73,148
$35.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$78,772$73,148
Hourly Rate$37.87$35.17
Entry Level (P10)$63,631$46,530
25th Percentile$68,061$57,001
75th Percentile$98,208$83,640
Top Earner (P90)$120,316$95,599
Total Employed6005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($78,772) and Northport ($73,148) speech-language pathologist salaries.BirminghamNorthportMedian Salary$78,772$73,148Entry Level (P10)$63,631$46,530Top Earner (P90)$120,316$95,599US Median $101,775

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northport.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Northport is $5,624 (7.69%). Birmingham's median is -22.60% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $56,685,Northport spans $49,069. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$63,631
P25$68,061
Median$78,772
P75$98,208
P90 (Top)$120,316
Northport
P10 (Entry)$46,530
P25$57,001
Median$73,148
P75$83,640
P90 (Top)$95,599

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($85,954 effective) pays 3.29% more than Northport ($83,217 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $78,772
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $85,954
Northport
Nominal: $73,148
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $83,217

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,772/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,316)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,954)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Northport if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Birmingham grew 16.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.1% growth in Northport over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+16.5%

$65,020 (2019) → $75,750 (2025)

Northport, AL

+5.1%

$66,949 (2024) → $70,341 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Birmingham or Northport?

Birmingham has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $78,772/year, compared to Northport at $73,148/year — a difference of $5,624 (7.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Northport?

Birmingham speech-language pathologists earn $37.87/hr while Northport hygienists earn $35.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Northport as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $85,954, Northport = $83,217), job availability (600 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Birmingham vs Northport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $63,631 in Birmingham and $46,530 in Northport. The Birmingham 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