Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Carlsbad, NM: $43.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Carlsbad, NM runs $43.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,094 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Carlsbad's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,650 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carlsbad, New Mexico, the projected hourly earnings for a speech-language pathologist stand at $43.79, which is below the national median pay of $48.93 per hour. This creates a unique financial scenario for those working part-time, such as three-day workweeks, where a professional might earn around $3,158 weekly if they operate for 24 hours. The variety of settings available, from school therapy rooms and outpatient clinics to skilled nursing facilities and telepractice, offers a broad spectrum of opportunities with entry-level hourly rates around $29.18 and top earners at $57.45. Such hourly pay rates are derived from annual salary estimates, highlighting potential for both full-time and per-diem workers in Carlsbad's speech-language pathology field.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.18 | $233.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.24 | $281.94 |
| Median (P50) | $43.79 | $350.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.21 | $401.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.45 | $459.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carlsbad
Based on $43.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.79/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carlsbad, NM can expect to earn approximately $91,084 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,548. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carlsbad.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carlsbad
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,751.61 | $7,590 | $91,084 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,050.96 | $4,554 | $54,650 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $700.64 | $3,036 | $36,433 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Carlsbad) | $43.79 |
| 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 Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $91,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $96,091.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.79/hr = $54,650/year (purchasing power: $57,892).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,084/year (purchasing power: $96,487).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Carlsbad grew 23.7% from $34.04/hr (2019) to $42.11/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.54/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 Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad
On the other hand, a part-time speech-language pathologist working just 24 hours a week may take home an annual income significantly lower than that of full-time colleagues, influenced greatly by work environment and patient demographics. Per-diem speech-language pathologists in Carlsbad, for example, often bill between $50 to $75 per hour, while specialized medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia can command rates from $80 to $110 when working in cash practices. The hourly compensation can also vary between employer types; school districts typically offer steady but slightly lower pay compared to hospital settings and outpatient pediatric clinics, which may present more lucrative opportunities. Those seeking to negotiate pay must weigh the benefits of consistent health insurance against the higher hourly rates often provided by positions lacking comprehensive benefits. As recent trends show, knowledge of market conditions in Carlsbad is crucial for negotiating an effective hourly rate, ensuring that new practitioners make informed decisions about their employment paths as they enter the field.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Carlsbad in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Carlsbad?
Are speech-language pathologists in Carlsbad paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Carlsbad?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Carlsbad?
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 Carlsbad. 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 Carlsbad 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