Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Cartersville, GA: $39.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Cartersville, GA runs $39.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,382 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Cartersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,433 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist in Cartersville, GA, is expected to reach $39.61, which lags behind the national hourly median of $48.93. This rate can significantly impact part-time positions, where an SLP working three days a week could earn around $30,000 annually, providing flexibility while still contributing to schools or outpatient clinics. Per-diem roles also offer variable earnings, with entry-level SLPs starting around $26.44, while top earners in specialized medical settings could see rates as high as $49.30. Hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, making them essential for understanding compensation across various therapeutic environments, such as school therapy rooms, hospital bedside evaluations, and telepractice platforms.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.44 | $211.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.68 | $253.40 |
| Median (P50) | $39.61 | $316.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.05 | $352.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.30 | $394.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cartersville
Based on $39.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.61/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cartersville, GA can expect to earn approximately $82,388 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,532. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cartersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cartersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,584.39 | $6,866 | $82,388 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.63 | $4,119 | $49,433 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.76 | $2,746 | $32,955 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Cartersville) | $39.61 |
| 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 Cartersville, GA earn a median of $82,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.05% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $86,445.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.61/hr = $49,433/year (purchasing power: $53,097).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,388/year (purchasing power: $88,494).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Cartersville grew 23.7% from $30.79/hr (2019) to $38.09/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.19/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 Cartersville 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 Cartersville
Shifted to analyzing the earning potential for part-time professionals, a speech-language pathologist working part-time at 24 hours per week might take home approximately $30,000 annually, which starkly contrasts with full-time salaries. Per-diem and agency work presents lucrative opportunities beyond the traditional settings, with typical billing rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour for general cases and rising to $80 to $110 per hour for dysphagia-focused practices. Different employers also present varied compensation structures; for example, school districts might offer a more stable but lower pay rate compared to the higher earning potential found in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Negotiating hourly pay can be effective in Cartersville, especially when considering benefit packages versus pure rate, as SLPs may face trade-offs between stable benefits in educational settings and higher rates in private practice with no provided health insurance.
More salary data for Cartersville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Cartersville in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Cartersville?
Are speech-language pathologists in Cartersville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Cartersville?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Cartersville?
Related Pages
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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 Cartersville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cartersville 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