SLP Salary

Hazleton vs Pittsburgh: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Hazleton, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hazleton, PA
$95,390
$45.86/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$85,074
$40.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHazleton, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$95,390$85,074
Hourly Rate$45.86$40.90
Entry Level (P10)$59,696$53,732
25th Percentile$79,419$64,276
75th Percentile$111,949$104,156
Top Earner (P90)$129,392$123,135
Total Employed71,300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hazleton ($95,390) and Pittsburgh ($85,074) speech-language pathologist salaries.HazletonPittsburghMedian Salary$95,390$85,074Entry Level (P10)$59,696$53,732Top Earner (P90)$129,392$123,135US Median $101,775

Verdict

Hazleton, PA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pittsburgh.

The salary gap between Hazleton and Pittsburgh is $10,316 (12.13%). Hazleton's median is -6.27% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hazleton spans $69,696,Pittsburgh spans $69,403. Hazleton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hazleton
P10 (Entry)$59,696
P25$79,419
Median$95,390
P75$111,949
P90 (Top)$129,392
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$53,732
P25$64,276
Median$85,074
P75$104,156
P90 (Top)$123,135

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hazleton ($97,936 effective) pays 8.98% more than Pittsburgh ($89,863 effective).

Hazleton
Nominal: $95,390
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $97,936
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $85,074
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $89,863

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hazleton if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,390/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,392)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,936)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Larger job market (1,300 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Hazleton grew 12.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

Hazleton, PA

+12.8%

$81,287 (2024) → $91,730 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+8.8%

$75,210 (2019) → $81,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Hazleton or Pittsburgh?

Hazleton has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $95,390/year, compared to Pittsburgh at $85,074/year — a difference of $10,316 (12.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hazleton and Pittsburgh?

Hazleton speech-language pathologists earn $45.86/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $40.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hazleton to Pittsburgh as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hazleton and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hazleton = $97,936, Pittsburgh = $89,863), job availability (7 vs 1,300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Hazleton vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $59,696 in Hazleton and $53,732 in Pittsburgh. The Hazleton 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