SLP Salary

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

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

Columbus, OH
$100,309
$48.23/hr
Mentor, OH
$91,808
$44.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHMentor, OH
Median Salary$100,309$91,808
Hourly Rate$48.23$44.13
Entry Level (P10)$68,072$63,209
25th Percentile$81,123$75,166
75th Percentile$112,600$103,136
Top Earner (P90)$124,996$125,529
Total Employed1,3909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($100,309) and Mentor ($91,808) speech-language pathologist salaries.ColumbusMentorMedian Salary$100,309$91,808Entry Level (P10)$68,072$63,209Top Earner (P90)$124,996$125,529US Median $101,775

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mentor.

The salary gap between Columbus and Mentor is $8,501 (9.26%). 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 Columbus spans $56,924,Mentor spans $62,320. Mentor has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$68,072
P25$81,123
Median$100,309
P75$112,600
P90 (Top)$124,996
Mentor
P10 (Entry)$63,209
P25$75,166
Median$91,808
P75$103,136
P90 (Top)$125,529

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($105,070 effective) pays 3.80% more than Mentor ($101,222 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $100,309
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $105,070
Mentor
Nominal: $91,808
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $101,222

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,309/year)
  • Larger job market (1,390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,070)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Mentor if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($125,529)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Columbus grew 50.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in Mentor over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+50.9%

$63,920 (2019) → $96,460 (2025)

Mentor, OH

+23.7%

$71,355 (2024) → $88,285 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Columbus or Mentor?

Columbus has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $100,309/year, compared to Mentor at $91,808/year — a difference of $8,501 (9.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Mentor?

Columbus speech-language pathologists earn $48.23/hr while Mentor hygienists earn $44.13/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Mentor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $105,070, Mentor = $101,222), job availability (1,390 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $68,072 in Columbus and $63,209 in Mentor. 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