SLP Salary

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

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

Dallas, TX
$103,512
$49.77/hr
Odessa, TX
$102,867
$49.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXOdessa, TX
Median Salary$103,512$102,867
Hourly Rate$49.77$49.46
Entry Level (P10)$72,751$85,875
25th Percentile$84,284$102,867
75th Percentile$122,043$127,211
Top Earner (P90)$136,643$130,112
Total Employed4,80070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($103,512) and Odessa ($102,867) speech-language pathologist salaries.DallasOdessaMedian Salary$103,512$102,867Entry Level (P10)$72,751$85,875Top Earner (P90)$136,643$130,112US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Odessa is $645 (0.63%). 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,Odessa spans $44,237. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$72,751
P25$84,284
Median$103,512
P75$122,043
P90 (Top)$136,643
Odessa
P10 (Entry)$85,875
P25$102,867
Median$102,867
P75$127,211
P90 (Top)$130,112

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Odessa ($109,554 effective) pays 9.11% more than Dallas ($100,409 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $103,512
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $100,409
Odessa
Nominal: $102,867
CoL Index: 93.896
Adjusted: $109,554

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 Odessa if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,554)
  • 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 38.1% growth in Odessa over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+48.2%

$67,180 (2019) → $99,540 (2025)

Odessa, TX

+38.1%

$71,650 (2019) → $98,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Dallas has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $103,512/year, compared to Odessa at $102,867/year — a difference of $645 (0.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Odessa?

Dallas speech-language pathologists earn $49.77/hr while Odessa hygienists earn $49.46/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Odessa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $100,409, Odessa = $109,554), job availability (4,800 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $72,751 in Dallas and $85,875 in Odessa. The Odessa 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