Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Concord, NH: $70,602 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Concord, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,602 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Concord's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,799 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,061) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a speech-language pathologist in Concord, New Hampshire, presents new professionals with a solid starting point for their careers in 2026. The entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Concord is projected to be $70,602, which is notably lower than the city median of $104,061. For new graduates, this indicates a gap that can be bridged over time—those who advance through their early career can eventually expect to earn around $84,346 at the 25th percentile and progress toward the median salary with experience. Concord currently offers a favorable market for emerging SLPs, especially considering the region’s growth trajectory of 3.99% per year, making it an appealing location to begin a career in speech-language pathology.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Concord
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Concord, NH typically start between $70,602 and $84,346 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $70,583 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,061 — 2.25% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in New Hampshire of $100,000 represents just 141.64% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($70,602/year) in Concord. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAA-accredited Master's in Speech-Language Pathology programs. Tuition varies widely between public in-state and private institutions; most programs also require a Clinical Fellowship Year for ASHA certification.
SLP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Concord
- 1Research the Concord market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $70,602 to $84,346, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the speech-language pathology field — employers in NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Concord, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Concord for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Concord's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Speech-Language Pathologist Compensation Range
The speech-language pathologist wage spread in Concord is $70,583 ( 99.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,602, experienced hygienists can earn up to $141,185.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,796
2025 BLS Actual
$67,893
2026 Current Est.
$70,602
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,383 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,507 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,602 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,419 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Concord, NH grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,796 in 2019 to $67,893 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,419. New graduates entering the Concord job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your speech-language pathology Career in Concord
In the Concord job market, several employers actively recruit new graduates for speech-language pathology positions. School districts serve as major hiring entities, often providing structured mentorship through the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), while hospital systems may offer specialized residency tracks for medical SLPs. Pediatric private practices are also on the lookout for new professionals, sometimes incentivizing hires with sign-on bonuses to address gaps in the workforce. Entry-level roles typically require a Master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, alongside mandatory credentials such as the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) after completing the CFY and obtaining a state license. Those aiming for higher wages should consider specializing in areas like dysphagia, particularly in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, which often command better pay than school-based positions. For new graduates, realistic salary growth expectations indicate that aspiring SLPs can steadily increase their earnings within the first three years in Concord by leveraging professional development and continuing education opportunities.
More salary data for Concord, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new speech-language pathology graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Concord. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127).
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