SLP Salary

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

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

Cleburne, TX
$95,830
$46.07/hr
Houston, TX
$104,406
$50.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleburne, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$95,830$104,406
Hourly Rate$46.07$50.20
Entry Level (P10)$63,727$72,429
25th Percentile$76,797$82,994
75th Percentile$111,669$125,589
Top Earner (P90)$128,323$140,990
Total Employed73,780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleburne ($95,830) and Houston ($104,406) speech-language pathologist salaries.CleburneHoustonMedian Salary$95,830$104,406Entry Level (P10)$63,727$72,429Top Earner (P90)$128,323$140,990US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleburne and Houston is $8,576 (8.95%). 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 Cleburne spans $64,596,Houston spans $68,561. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Cleburne
P10 (Entry)$63,727
P25$76,797
Median$95,830
P75$111,669
P90 (Top)$128,323
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 6.05% more than Cleburne ($99,823 effective).

Cleburne
Nominal: $95,830
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $99,823
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 Cleburne 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 Cleburne grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.6% growth in Houston over the same period.

Cleburne, TX

+9.7%

$83,981 (2024) → $92,153 (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: Cleburne or Houston?

Houston has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,406/year, compared to Cleburne at $95,830/year — a difference of $8,576 (8.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleburne and Houston?

Cleburne speech-language pathologists earn $46.07/hr while Houston hygienists earn $50.20/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleburne and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleburne = $99,823, Houston = $105,857), job availability (7 vs 3,780 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $63,727 in Cleburne 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