SLP Salary

Concord vs Raleigh: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Concord, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, NC
$96,137
$46.22/hr
Raleigh, NC
$90,887
$43.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$96,137$90,887
Hourly Rate$46.22$43.70
Entry Level (P10)$59,615$65,410
25th Percentile$74,162$74,301
75th Percentile$113,851$105,175
Top Earner (P90)$134,019$129,041
Total Employed241,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($96,137) and Raleigh ($90,887) speech-language pathologist salaries.ConcordRaleighMedian Salary$96,137$90,887Entry Level (P10)$59,615$65,410Top Earner (P90)$134,019$129,041US Median $101,775

Verdict

Concord, NC offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Raleigh.

The salary gap between Concord and Raleigh is $5,250 (5.78%). Concord's median is -5.54% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $74,404,Raleigh spans $63,631. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$59,615
P25$74,162
Median$96,137
P75$113,851
P90 (Top)$134,019
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$65,410
P25$74,301
Median$90,887
P75$105,175
P90 (Top)$129,041

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Concord ($102,710 effective) pays 10.93% more than Raleigh ($92,593 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $96,137
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $102,710
Raleigh
Nominal: $90,887
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $92,593

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,137/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,019)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,710)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Larger job market (1,050 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Concord grew 17.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.9% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Concord, NC

+17.3%

$78,788 (2024) → $92,448 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+28.9%

$67,810 (2019) → $87,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Concord or Raleigh?

Concord has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $96,137/year, compared to Raleigh at $90,887/year — a difference of $5,250 (5.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Raleigh?

Concord speech-language pathologists earn $46.22/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $43.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Raleigh as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $102,710, Raleigh = $92,593), job availability (24 vs 1,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Concord vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $59,615 in Concord and $65,410 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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