Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Lexington, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $90,960 | $107,546▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $43.73 | $51.70▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,186 | $69,309▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $78,429 | $83,088▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $107,349 | $126,015▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $116,417 | $147,697▲ |
| Total Employed | 360 | 710▲ |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.
The salary gap between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County is $16,586 (18.23%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is +5.67% compared to the US national median of $101,775.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington spans $48,231,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $78,388. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($115,549 effective) pays 18.00% more than Lexington ($97,923 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Lexington if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($107,546/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($147,697)
- ✓Larger job market (710 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,549)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Lexington grew 27.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.
Lexington, KY
$68,710 (2019) → $87,470 (2025)
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$88,130 (2019) → $103,420 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Lexington, KY
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Lexington or Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County?
Should I relocate from Lexington to Louisville/Jefferson County as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County?
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.
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