Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Apex, NC: $42.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Apex, NC runs $42.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,203 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Apex's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,924 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Speech-language pathologists in Apex, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $42.41, which is below the national median of $48.93 per hour. This hourly compensation reflects the opportunities and challenges faced in various professional settings, including school therapy rooms, hospital bedside evaluations, outpatient clinics, and virtual sessions. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this translates into a significant income while allowing for a flexible schedule. Entry-level positions may start around $26.86, while experienced practitioners can earn up to $56.46 per hour. These estimates derive from annual salary figures, offering insights into the financial landscape of speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Apex.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.86 | $214.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.68 | $277.45 |
| Median (P50) | $42.41 | $339.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.82 | $390.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.46 | $451.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Apex
Based on $42.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.41/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Apex, NC can expect to earn approximately $88,207 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,889. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Apex.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Apex
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,696.28 | $7,351 | $88,207 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,017.77 | $4,410 | $52,924 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $678.51 | $2,940 | $35,283 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Apex) | $42.41 |
| 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 Apex, NC earn a median of $88,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.34% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $87,590.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.41/hr = $52,924/year (purchasing power: $56,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,207/year (purchasing power: $94,238).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Apex grew 23.7% from $32.97/hr (2019) to $40.78/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.10/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 Apex 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 Apex
When evaluating part-time work, a speech-language pathologist working 24 hours a week brings in considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Annually, a part-time clinician may take home around $52,000, contrasting sharply with the income potential of $88,203 for full-time professionals. Per-diem and agency speech-language pathologists often command higher rates, billing at $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized medical SLPs and telepractice professionals potentially earning even more. In Apex, the pay scale can vary significantly based on the employer type; for instance, school districts generally offer lower hourly rates compared to hospitals or outpatient clinics, where medical SLPs can reach higher pay scales. While some may choose lower hourly wages for the related benefits, knowing how to negotiate effectively can enhance earning potential in this field. Understanding the subtleties of employer pay structures can help clinicians maximize their financial return while pursuing diverse opportunities in both school-based and medical specialties.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Apex. 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 Apex 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