SLP Salary

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

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

Chillicothe, OH
$90,098
$43.31/hr
Columbus, OH
$100,309
$48.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChillicothe, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$90,098$100,309
Hourly Rate$43.31$48.23
Entry Level (P10)$57,975$68,072
25th Percentile$76,335$81,123
75th Percentile$104,217$112,600
Top Earner (P90)$118,637$124,996
Total Employed61,390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chillicothe ($90,098) and Columbus ($100,309) speech-language pathologist salaries.ChillicotheColumbusMedian Salary$90,098$100,309Entry Level (P10)$57,975$68,072Top Earner (P90)$118,637$124,996US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chillicothe and Columbus is $10,211 (11.33%). 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 Chillicothe spans $60,662,Columbus spans $56,924. Chillicothe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chillicothe
P10 (Entry)$57,975
P25$76,335
Median$90,098
P75$104,217
P90 (Top)$118,637
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 5.77% more than Chillicothe ($99,336 effective).

Chillicothe
Nominal: $90,098
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $99,336
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 Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe grew 23.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 50.9% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Chillicothe, OH

+23.7%

$70,026 (2024) → $86,641 (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: Chillicothe or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $100,309/year, compared to Chillicothe at $90,098/year — a difference of $10,211 (11.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chillicothe and Columbus?

Chillicothe speech-language pathologists earn $43.31/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $48.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chillicothe and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chillicothe = $99,336, Columbus = $105,070), job availability (6 vs 1,390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $57,975 in Chillicothe 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