Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in High Point, NC: $52,360 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the High Point, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,360 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out High Point's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,940 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,713) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field as entry-level speech-language pathologists in High Point, North Carolina, can expect to see starting salaries around $52,360. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range, which spans up to $115,521 for experienced professionals. For early-career SLPs, while the starting pay is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $80,713 in High Point, there is considerable growth potential as individuals gain experience. As professionals advance through their careers, they can anticipate increasing salaries, moving from the first quartile salary of $64,013 toward the median within the first three to five years. Given the projected 3.99% growth rate in the field, High Point appears to be a reasonable market for new graduates, providing opportunities to establish a fulfilling career in speech-language pathology.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in High Point
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 High Point
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in High Point, NC typically start between $52,360 and $64,013 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,161 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,713 — 20.69% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in North Carolina of $65,000 represents just 124.14% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($52,360/year) in High Point. 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 High Point
- 1Research the High Point market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $52,360 to $64,013, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in High Point, 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 High Point for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5High Point's below-average 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 High Point is $63,161 ( 120.63%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,360, experienced hygienists can earn up to $115,521.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,897
2025 BLS Actual
$50,351
2026 Current Est.
$52,360
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,897 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,321 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,073 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,124 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,357 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,351 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,360 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,449 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in High Point, NC grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $39,897 in 2019 to $50,351 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,449. New graduates entering the High Point job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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 High Point
Relevant local employers in High Point typically include school districts, which hire a large number of entry-level SLPs and often offer structured mentorship during the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). Medical residency tracks within hospital systems also present excellent opportunities for new grads looking to specialize in medical speech pathology. Additionally, private pediatric practices are actively recruiting, sometimes offering sign-on bonuses in response to workforce shortages. To enhance their starting pay and professional standing, new graduates should seek credentials such as a Master's degree from an accredited program and the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), obtained after the CFY. With over half of SLPs employed in school settings, the demand is substantial. New professionals should expect salary increases as they gain experience, especially if they consider roles in medical facilities or telepractice, which saw significant growth after 2020.
More salary data for High Point, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is speech-language pathology school worth it in High Point?
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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 High Point. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for High Point 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