SLP Salary

Gadsden vs Huntsville: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Gadsden, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gadsden, AL
$83,265
$40.04/hr
Huntsville, AL
$77,660
$37.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGadsden, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$83,265$77,660
Hourly Rate$40.04$37.33
Entry Level (P10)$61,209$58,692
25th Percentile$73,417$67,438
75th Percentile$104,936$88,267
Top Earner (P90)$117,478$113,578
Total Employed90230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gadsden ($83,265) and Huntsville ($77,660) speech-language pathologist salaries.GadsdenHuntsvilleMedian Salary$83,265$77,660Entry Level (P10)$61,209$58,692Top Earner (P90)$117,478$113,578US Median $101,775

Verdict

Gadsden, AL offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Huntsville.

The salary gap between Gadsden and Huntsville is $5,605 (7.22%). Gadsden's median is -18.19% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gadsden spans $56,269,Huntsville spans $54,886. Gadsden has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gadsden
P10 (Entry)$61,209
P25$73,417
Median$83,265
P75$104,936
P90 (Top)$117,478
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$58,692
P25$67,438
Median$77,660
P75$88,267
P90 (Top)$113,578

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gadsden ($97,212 effective) pays 16.50% more than Huntsville ($83,441 effective).

Gadsden
Nominal: $83,265
CoL Index: 85.653
Adjusted: $97,212
Huntsville
Nominal: $77,660
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $83,441

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gadsden if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,265/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,478)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,212)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Gadsden grew 19.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Gadsden, AL

+19.6%

$66,950 (2019) → $80,070 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+20.6%

$61,900 (2019) → $74,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Gadsden or Huntsville?

Gadsden has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $83,265/year, compared to Huntsville at $77,660/year — a difference of $5,605 (7.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gadsden and Huntsville?

Gadsden speech-language pathologists earn $40.04/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $37.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gadsden to Huntsville as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gadsden and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gadsden = $97,212, Huntsville = $83,441), job availability (90 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Gadsden vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $61,209 in Gadsden and $58,692 in Huntsville. The Gadsden area offers higher starting salaries.
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