SLP Salary

Cleveland vs Shaker Heights: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$102,846
$49.45/hr
Shaker Heights, OH
$92,269
$44.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHShaker Heights, OH
Median Salary$102,846$92,269
Hourly Rate$49.45$44.36
Entry Level (P10)$67,521$64,287
25th Percentile$81,528$76,108
75th Percentile$119,890$104,187
Top Earner (P90)$157,056$123,775
Total Employed1,1807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($102,846) and Shaker Heights ($92,269) speech-language pathologist salaries.ClevelandShaker HeightsMedian Salary$102,846$92,269Entry Level (P10)$67,521$64,287Top Earner (P90)$157,056$123,775US Median $101,775

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shaker Heights.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Shaker Heights is $10,577 (11.46%). Cleveland's median is +1.05% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $89,535,Shaker Heights spans $59,488. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$67,521
P25$81,528
Median$102,846
P75$119,890
P90 (Top)$157,056
Shaker Heights
P10 (Entry)$64,287
P25$76,108
Median$92,269
P75$104,187
P90 (Top)$123,775

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($109,500 effective) pays 7.64% more than Shaker Heights ($101,730 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $102,846
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $109,500
Shaker Heights
Nominal: $92,269
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $101,730

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,846/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($157,056)
  • Larger job market (1,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,500)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Shaker Heights if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Cleveland grew 22.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in Shaker Heights over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+22.0%

$81,060 (2019) → $98,900 (2025)

Shaker Heights, OH

+23.7%

$71,714 (2024) → $88,729 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Cleveland or Shaker Heights?

Cleveland has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $102,846/year, compared to Shaker Heights at $92,269/year — a difference of $10,577 (11.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Shaker Heights?

Cleveland speech-language pathologists earn $49.45/hr while Shaker Heights hygienists earn $44.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Shaker Heights as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Shaker Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $109,500, Shaker Heights = $101,730), job availability (1,180 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Cleveland vs Shaker Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $67,521 in Cleveland and $64,287 in Shaker Heights. The Cleveland 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