SLP Salary

Cincinnati vs Lorain: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$99,758
$47.96/hr
Lorain, OH
$96,724
$46.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHLorain, OH
Median Salary$99,758$96,724
Hourly Rate$47.96$46.50
Entry Level (P10)$63,715$58,976
25th Percentile$81,955$79,583
75th Percentile$111,831$111,915
Top Earner (P90)$132,702$129,316
Total Employed1,69012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($99,758) and Lorain ($96,724) speech-language pathologist salaries.CincinnatiLorainMedian Salary$99,758$96,724Entry Level (P10)$63,715$58,976Top Earner (P90)$132,702$129,316US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Lorain is $3,034 (3.14%). Cincinnati's median is -1.98% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $68,987,Lorain spans $70,340. Lorain has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$63,715
P25$81,955
Median$99,758
P75$111,831
P90 (Top)$132,702
Lorain
P10 (Entry)$58,976
P25$79,583
Median$96,724
P75$111,915
P90 (Top)$129,316

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lorain ($106,642 effective) pays 1.95% more than Cincinnati ($104,601 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $99,758
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $104,601
Lorain
Nominal: $96,724
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $106,642

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,758/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,702)
  • Larger job market (1,690 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lorain if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,642)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Cincinnati grew 28.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in Lorain over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+28.1%

$74,890 (2019) → $95,930 (2025)

Lorain, OH

+23.7%

$75,176 (2024) → $93,013 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Cincinnati or Lorain?

Cincinnati has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $99,758/year, compared to Lorain at $96,724/year — a difference of $3,034 (3.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Lorain?

Cincinnati speech-language pathologists earn $47.96/hr while Lorain hygienists earn $46.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Lorain as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Lorain. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $104,601, Lorain = $106,642), job availability (1,690 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Cincinnati vs Lorain?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $63,715 in Cincinnati and $58,976 in Lorain. The Cincinnati 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