SLP Salary

Dallas vs Killeen: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$103,512
$49.77/hr
Killeen, TX
$93,913
$45.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXKilleen, TX
Median Salary$103,512$93,913
Hourly Rate$49.77$45.15
Entry Level (P10)$72,751$64,869
25th Percentile$84,284$77,285
75th Percentile$122,043$113,661
Top Earner (P90)$136,643$130,372
Total Employed4,800270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($103,512) and Killeen ($93,913) speech-language pathologist salaries.DallasKilleenMedian Salary$103,512$93,913Entry Level (P10)$72,751$64,869Top Earner (P90)$136,643$130,372US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Killeen is $9,599 (10.22%). Dallas's median is +1.71% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $63,892,Killeen spans $65,503. Killeen has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$72,751
P25$84,284
Median$103,512
P75$122,043
P90 (Top)$136,643
Killeen
P10 (Entry)$64,869
P25$77,285
Median$93,913
P75$113,661
P90 (Top)$130,372

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Killeen ($103,052 effective) pays 2.63% more than Dallas ($100,409 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $103,512
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $100,409
Killeen
Nominal: $93,913
CoL Index: 91.132
Adjusted: $103,052

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,512/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,643)
  • Larger job market (4,800 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Killeen if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,052)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Dallas grew 48.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.6% growth in Killeen over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+48.2%

$67,180 (2019) → $99,540 (2025)

Killeen, TX

+43.6%

$62,900 (2019) → $90,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Dallas or Killeen?

Dallas has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $103,512/year, compared to Killeen at $93,913/year — a difference of $9,599 (10.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Killeen?

Dallas speech-language pathologists earn $49.77/hr while Killeen hygienists earn $45.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Killeen as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Killeen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $100,409, Killeen = $103,052), job availability (4,800 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Dallas vs Killeen?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $72,751 in Dallas and $64,869 in Killeen. The Dallas 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