Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Port St. Lucie, FL: $48.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Port St. Lucie, FL runs $48.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,546 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Port St. Lucie's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.2, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,931 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Port St. Lucie, the projected speech-language pathologist hourly pay in 2026 stands at $48.82, slightly below the national median of $48.93. This rate is noteworthy for those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, where clinicians might accrue around $1,166.88 weekly, which translates to a robust income across therapy settings ranging from schools to medical facilities. With entry-level positions starting at approximately $40.18 per hour and top earners achieving around $59.18, the hourly pay structure presents a solid foundation for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. Speech-language pathologists often find themselves working in diverse settings, including school therapy rooms, hospitals conducting bedside evaluations, outpatient clinics, and even engaging in telepractice sessions, making hourly compensation a critical factor in career decision-making.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.18 | $321.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.35 | $330.77 |
| Median (P50) | $48.82 | $390.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.62 | $420.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.18 | $473.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port St. Lucie
Based on $48.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.82/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port St. Lucie, FL can expect to earn approximately $101,552 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,588. With a cost-of-living index of 100.23 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Port St. Lucie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port St. Lucie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,952.93 | $8,463 | $101,552 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.76 | $5,078 | $60,931 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $781.17 | $3,385 | $40,621 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Port St. Lucie) | $48.82 |
| Audiologist (National Avg) | $43.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| School / Educational Counselor (National Avg) | $30.85 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $31.40 |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $101,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.50% below the Florida state average of $103,093.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.82/hr = $60,931/year (purchasing power: $60,793).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,552/year (purchasing power: $101,321).
CoL index: 100.228 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Port St. Lucie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Port St. Lucie grew 22.2% from $38.41/hr (2019) to $46.95/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port St. Lucie 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.
Working as an Hourly Speech-Language Pathologist in Port St. Lucie
For part-time speech-language pathologists, a schedule of just three days a week results in an annual income that may significantly differ from full-time colleagues, limiting benefits typically associated with steady, year-long roles. Often, per-diem arrangements provide more lucrative opportunities, especially for medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia, where they can bill anywhere from $80 to $110 per hour in specialized cash practices. Meanwhile, telepractice offers flexibility and convenience, with rates for 1099 contracts ranging from $40 to $60 an hour depending on caseload structures. Employers in Port St. Lucie—including school districts, outpatient pediatric clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and private practices—tend to offer varying hourly rates influenced by their need for SLP services. While some practitioners may opt for roles with lower hourly pay in exchange for traditional benefits like health insurance, negotiating for higher pay is essential, especially in a market where specialized skills command a premium. Understanding the nuances of the speech-language pathologist hourly rate in FL can guide emerging clinicians to choose career paths aligning with their financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Port St. Lucie, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Port St. Lucie in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Port St. Lucie?
Are speech-language pathologists in Port St. Lucie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Port St. Lucie?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Port St. Lucie?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in Port St. Lucie. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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