Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Hurst, TX: $58,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Hurst, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,850 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hurst's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,302 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($93,683) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A starting position as a speech-language pathologist in Hurst, Texas, yields a projected entry-level salary of $58,850 in 2026. This figure is notably below the city’s median annual salary of $93,683, setting the stage for new graduates to have realistic expectations regarding their early earnings. While this starting pay may seem modest, there is potential for salary progression in the first few years; entry-level professionals can expect to reach around $78,162 by the 25th percentile and work towards the median as they gain experience and expertise. With an anticipated annual growth rate of 3.99%, Hurst remains a viable market for new graduates looking to establish their careers in speech-language pathology, particularly given the demand for services across various sectors.
About the Hurst Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hurst
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 Hurst
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Hurst, TX typically start between $58,850 and $78,162 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,714 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $93,683 — 7.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Texas of $80,000 represents just 135.94% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($58,850/year) in Hurst. 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 Hurst
- 1Research the Hurst market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $58,850 to $78,162, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hurst, 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 Hurst for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hurst'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 Hurst is $62,714 ( 106.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,850, experienced hygienists can earn up to $121,564.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,842
2025 BLS Actual
$56,592
2026 Current Est.
$58,850
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Hurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,319 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,164 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,717 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,102 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,592 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,198 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Hurst, TX grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,842 in 2019 to $56,592 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,198. New graduates entering the Hurst job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hurst 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 Hurst
New graduates should be aware of the employment landscape in Hurst to effectively navigate the job market. School districts dominate the hiring scene, accounting for roughly 55% of all SLP positions, many of which include structured mentorship during the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). Hospital systems also play a crucial role by offering residency tracks geared toward medical SLPs. In addition, pediatric private practices are known to incentivize recruitment with sign-on bonuses, especially in high-demand areas. To enhance their starting speech-language pathologist salary in Hurst, new grads should obtain their Master's degree from a CAA-accredited program, achieve the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), and secure a Texas state license. The first few years are pivotal for career advancement as new grads align their specialties—those focusing on dysphagia in medical settings typically command higher pay. As the field evolves, particularly with the rise of telepractice since 2020, developing a strategy for continued education and specialization will be invaluable for elevating entry-level pay in Texas.
More salary data for Hurst, TX:
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 Hurst. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hurst 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