SLP Salary

Carrollton vs Houston: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Carrollton, TX
$97,577
$46.91/hr
Houston, TX
$104,406
$50.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrollton, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$97,577$104,406
Hourly Rate$46.91$50.20
Entry Level (P10)$58,342$72,429
25th Percentile$79,429$82,994
75th Percentile$113,883$125,589
Top Earner (P90)$139,531$140,990
Total Employed203,780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrollton ($97,577) and Houston ($104,406) speech-language pathologist salaries.CarrolltonHoustonMedian Salary$97,577$104,406Entry Level (P10)$58,342$72,429Top Earner (P90)$139,531$140,990US Median $101,775

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrollton.

The salary gap between Carrollton and Houston is $6,829 (7.00%). Houston's median is +2.59% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrollton spans $81,189,Houston spans $68,561. Carrollton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$58,342
P25$79,429
Median$97,577
P75$113,883
P90 (Top)$139,531
Houston
P10 (Entry)$72,429
P25$82,994
Median$104,406
P75$125,589
P90 (Top)$140,990

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($105,857 effective) pays 4.15% more than Carrollton ($101,643 effective).

Carrollton
Nominal: $97,577
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $101,643
Houston
Nominal: $104,406
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $105,857

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrollton if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,406/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($140,990)
  • Larger job market (3,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,857)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Carrollton grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.6% growth in Houston over the same period.

Carrollton, TX

+9.7%

$85,513 (2024) → $93,833 (2025)

Houston, TX

+43.6%

$69,900 (2019) → $100,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Carrollton or Houston?

Houston has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,406/year, compared to Carrollton at $97,577/year — a difference of $6,829 (7.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrollton and Houston?

Carrollton speech-language pathologists earn $46.91/hr while Houston hygienists earn $50.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrollton to Houston as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrollton and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrollton = $101,643, Houston = $105,857), job availability (20 vs 3,780 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Carrollton vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $58,342 in Carrollton and $72,429 in Houston. The Houston 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