SLP Salary

Orlando vs Pensacola: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Orlando, FL
$101,806
$48.95/hr
Pensacola, FL
$102,753
$49.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLPensacola, FL
Median Salary$101,806$102,753
Hourly Rate$48.95$49.40
Entry Level (P10)$65,930$80,519
25th Percentile$78,731$95,213
75th Percentile$110,042$108,056
Top Earner (P90)$118,819$120,192
Total Employed1,100170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($101,806) and Pensacola ($102,753) speech-language pathologist salaries.OrlandoPensacolaMedian Salary$101,806$102,753Entry Level (P10)$65,930$80,519Top Earner (P90)$118,819$120,192US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Orlando and Pensacola is $947 (0.93%). Pensacola's median is +0.96% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $52,889,Pensacola spans $39,673. Orlando has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$65,930
P25$78,731
Median$101,806
P75$110,042
P90 (Top)$118,819
Pensacola
P10 (Entry)$80,519
P25$95,213
Median$102,753
P75$108,056
P90 (Top)$120,192

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pensacola ($105,154 effective) pays 4.75% more than Orlando ($100,383 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $101,806
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $100,383
Pensacola
Nominal: $102,753
CoL Index: 97.717
Adjusted: $105,154

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Pensacola if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,753/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,192)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,154)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Orlando grew 29.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.1% growth in Pensacola over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+29.2%

$75,770 (2019) → $97,900 (2025)

Pensacola, FL

+32.1%

$74,790 (2019) → $98,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Orlando or Pensacola?

Pensacola has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $102,753/year, compared to Orlando at $101,806/year — a difference of $947 (0.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Pensacola?

Orlando speech-language pathologists earn $48.95/hr while Pensacola hygienists earn $49.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Pensacola as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Pensacola. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $100,383, Pensacola = $105,154), job availability (1,100 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Orlando vs Pensacola?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $65,930 in Orlando and $80,519 in Pensacola. The Pensacola 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