SLP Salary

Shreveport vs Zachary: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Shreveport, LA and Zachary, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shreveport, LA
$82,630
$39.72/hr
Zachary, LA
$66,095
$31.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShreveport, LAZachary, LA
Median Salary$82,630$66,095
Hourly Rate$39.72$31.78
Entry Level (P10)$66,273$46,994
25th Percentile$66,273$54,997
75th Percentile$95,213$73,118
Top Earner (P90)$118,965$87,617
Total Employed2106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shreveport ($82,630) and Zachary ($66,095) speech-language pathologist salaries.ShreveportZacharyMedian Salary$82,630$66,095Entry Level (P10)$66,273$46,994Top Earner (P90)$118,965$87,617US Median $101,775

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Zachary.

The salary gap between Shreveport and Zachary is $16,535 (25.02%). Shreveport's median is -18.81% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shreveport spans $52,692,Zachary spans $40,623. Shreveport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$66,273
P25$66,273
Median$82,630
P75$95,213
P90 (Top)$118,965
Zachary
P10 (Entry)$46,994
P25$54,997
Median$66,095
P75$73,118
P90 (Top)$87,617

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($97,480 effective) pays 33.18% more than Zachary ($73,195 effective).

Shreveport
Nominal: $82,630
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $97,480
Zachary
Nominal: $66,095
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $73,195

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,630/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,965)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,480)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Zachary if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Shreveport grew -17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.7% growth in Zachary over the same period.

Shreveport, LA

+-17.3%

$96,110 (2019) → $79,460 (2025)

Zachary, LA

+-7.7%

$68,865 (2024) → $63,559 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Shreveport or Zachary?

Shreveport has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $82,630/year, compared to Zachary at $66,095/year — a difference of $16,535 (25.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shreveport and Zachary?

Shreveport speech-language pathologists earn $39.72/hr while Zachary hygienists earn $31.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shreveport to Zachary as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shreveport and Zachary. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shreveport = $97,480, Zachary = $73,195), job availability (210 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Shreveport vs Zachary?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $66,273 in Shreveport and $46,994 in Zachary. The Shreveport 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