SLP Salary

Manchester vs Salem: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Manchester, NH and Salem, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Manchester, NH
$84,949
$40.84/hr
Salem, NH
$106,569
$51.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricManchester, NHSalem, NH
Median Salary$84,949$106,569
Hourly Rate$40.84$51.24
Entry Level (P10)$66,325$67,564
25th Percentile$72,439$82,982
75th Percentile$104,843$121,855
Top Earner (P90)$120,264$138,882
Total Employed2308
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Manchester ($84,949) and Salem ($106,569) speech-language pathologist salaries.ManchesterSalemMedian Salary$84,949$106,569Entry Level (P10)$66,325$67,564Top Earner (P90)$120,264$138,882US Median $101,775

Verdict

Salem, NH offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manchester.

The salary gap between Manchester and Salem is $21,620 (25.45%). Salem's median is +4.71% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Manchester spans $53,939,Salem spans $71,318. Salem has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Manchester
P10 (Entry)$66,325
P25$72,439
Median$84,949
P75$104,843
P90 (Top)$120,264
Salem
P10 (Entry)$67,564
P25$82,982
Median$106,569
P75$121,855
P90 (Top)$138,882

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($99,319 effective) pays 23.53% more than Manchester ($80,401 effective).

Manchester
Nominal: $84,949
CoL Index: 105.657
Adjusted: $80,401
Salem
Nominal: $106,569
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $99,319

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Manchester if…

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

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,569/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($138,882)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,319)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Manchester grew 5.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.2% growth in Salem over the same period.

Manchester, NH

+5.3%

$77,570 (2019) → $81,690 (2025)

Salem, NH

+11.2%

$92,144 (2024) → $102,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Manchester or Salem?

Salem has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $106,569/year, compared to Manchester at $84,949/year — a difference of $21,620 (25.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Manchester and Salem?

Manchester speech-language pathologists earn $40.84/hr while Salem hygienists earn $51.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Manchester to Salem as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Manchester and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Manchester = $80,401, Salem = $99,319), job availability (230 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Manchester vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $66,325 in Manchester and $67,564 in Salem. The Salem 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