Lexington vs Louisville: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Lexington, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $90,960 | $93,046▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $43.73 | $44.74▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,186▲ | $54,984 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,429▲ | $69,996 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,349 | $111,086▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $116,417 | $131,932▲ |
| Total Employed | 360▲ | 132 |
Verdict
Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.
The salary gap between Lexington and Louisville is $2,086 (2.29%). Louisville's median is -8.58% 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 spans $76,948. Louisville 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 ($104,195 effective) pays 6.40% 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…
- ✓Larger job market (360 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Louisville if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($93,046/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($131,932)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,195)
- ✓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 12.1% growth in Louisville over the same period.
Lexington, KY
$68,710 (2019) → $87,470 (2025)
Louisville, KY
$79,834 (2024) → $89,476 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Lexington, KY
Louisville, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Lexington or Louisville?
What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Louisville?
Should I relocate from Lexington to Louisville as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Lexington vs Louisville?
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