SLP Salary

Ellicott City vs Hagerstown: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Ellicott City, MD and Hagerstown, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ellicott City, MD
$111,719
$53.71/hr
Hagerstown, MD
$85,386
$41.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEllicott City, MDHagerstown, MD
Median Salary$111,719$85,386
Hourly Rate$53.71$41.06
Entry Level (P10)$70,320$63,320
25th Percentile$86,782$79,459
75th Percentile$128,299$104,281
Top Earner (P90)$148,184$129,728
Total Employed15160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ellicott City ($111,719) and Hagerstown ($85,386) speech-language pathologist salaries.Ellicott CityHagerstownMedian Salary$111,719$85,386Entry Level (P10)$70,320$63,320Top Earner (P90)$148,184$129,728US Median $101,775

Verdict

Ellicott City, MD offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Ellicott City and Hagerstown is $26,333 (30.84%). Ellicott City's median is +9.77% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ellicott City spans $77,864,Hagerstown spans $66,408. Ellicott City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$70,320
P25$86,782
Median$111,719
P75$128,299
P90 (Top)$148,184
Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$63,320
P25$79,459
Median$85,386
P75$104,281
P90 (Top)$129,728

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ellicott City ($102,213 effective) pays 12.73% more than Hagerstown ($90,671 effective).

Ellicott City
Nominal: $111,719
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $102,213
Hagerstown
Nominal: $85,386
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $90,671

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ellicott City if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,719/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($148,184)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,213)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Ellicott City grew 6.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.1% growth in Hagerstown over the same period.

Ellicott City, MD

+6.4%

$100,988 (2024) → $107,432 (2025)

Hagerstown, MD

+6.1%

$77,420 (2019) → $82,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Ellicott City or Hagerstown?

Ellicott City has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $111,719/year, compared to Hagerstown at $85,386/year — a difference of $26,333 (30.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ellicott City and Hagerstown?

Ellicott City speech-language pathologists earn $53.71/hr while Hagerstown hygienists earn $41.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ellicott City to Hagerstown as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ellicott City and Hagerstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ellicott City = $102,213, Hagerstown = $90,671), job availability (15 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Ellicott City vs Hagerstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $70,320 in Ellicott City and $63,320 in Hagerstown. The Ellicott City 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