SLP Salary

North Lauderdale vs Tampa: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between North Lauderdale, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Lauderdale, FL
$100,045
$48.10/hr
Tampa, FL
$100,434
$48.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Lauderdale, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$100,045$100,434
Hourly Rate$48.10$48.28
Entry Level (P10)$62,556$79,355
25th Percentile$83,255$85,573
75th Percentile$113,770$108,659
Top Earner (P90)$129,230$126,826
Total Employed71,710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Lauderdale ($100,045) and Tampa ($100,434) speech-language pathologist salaries.North LauderdaleTampaMedian Salary$100,045$100,434Entry Level (P10)$62,556$79,355Top Earner (P90)$129,230$126,826US Median $101,775

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Lauderdale.

The salary gap between North Lauderdale and Tampa is $389 (0.39%). Tampa's median is -1.32% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Lauderdale spans $66,674,Tampa spans $47,471. North Lauderdale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Lauderdale
P10 (Entry)$62,556
P25$83,255
Median$100,045
P75$113,770
P90 (Top)$129,230
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$79,355
P25$85,573
Median$100,434
P75$108,659
P90 (Top)$126,826

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($99,548 effective) pays 0.30% more than North Lauderdale ($99,251 effective).

North Lauderdale
Nominal: $100,045
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $99,251
Tampa
Nominal: $100,434
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $99,548

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Lauderdale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($129,230)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,434/year)
  • Larger job market (1,710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,548)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in North Lauderdale grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.0% growth in Tampa over the same period.

North Lauderdale, FL

+14.4%

$84,097 (2024) → $96,206 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+25.0%

$77,240 (2019) → $96,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: North Lauderdale or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $100,434/year, compared to North Lauderdale at $100,045/year — a difference of $389 (0.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Lauderdale and Tampa?

North Lauderdale speech-language pathologists earn $48.10/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $48.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Lauderdale to Tampa as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Lauderdale and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Lauderdale = $99,251, Tampa = $99,548), job availability (7 vs 1,710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in North Lauderdale vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $62,556 in North Lauderdale and $79,355 in Tampa. The Tampa 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