Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Salisbury, NC: $41.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Salisbury, NC runs $41.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,094 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,652 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, the projected hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is $41.39, which is notably below the national median of $48.93. For those working part-time or as per-diem specialists, this hourly wage can influence their decision-making regarding workload and job settings. For example, SLPs who work three days a week might find that their earnings, evaluated per shift, offer a viable option for balancing personal commitments while engaging in diverse settings such as school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, or telepractice. The expected hourly rate for entry-level positions starts at $26.73, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $53.05, showcasing a wide range of compensation based on experience level, job type, and patient population.
About the Salisbury 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) | $26.73 | $213.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.58 | $260.64 |
| Median (P50) | $41.39 | $331.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.79 | $374.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.05 | $424.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $41.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.39/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, NC can expect to earn approximately $86,087 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,666. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,655.52 | $7,174 | $86,087 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $993.31 | $4,304 | $51,652 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $662.21 | $2,870 | $34,435 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Salisbury) | $41.39 |
| 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 Salisbury, NC earn a median of $86,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.41% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $87,583.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.39/hr = $51,652/year (purchasing power: $55,184).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,087/year (purchasing power: $91,973).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Salisbury grew 23.7% from $32.18/hr (2019) to $39.80/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.04/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
When considering part-time employment in Salisbury, a speech-language pathologist earning the hourly rate mentioned could take home roughly $52,115 per year with a 24-hour work week, compared to the earnings of full-time SLPs. Per-diem opportunities are attractive in this region; many travelers might bill between $50-$75 per hour, while specialized medical roles in dysphagia, particularly within cash practices, command hourly rates of $80-$110. The compensation varies considerably based on the type of employer—school districts usually offer lower rates due to budgetary constraints, while hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically provide better pay but may lack flexible schedules. When negotiating, SLPs in Salisbury should consider not only hourly rates but also the value of benefits offered by employers, knowing that some may choose lower pay in exchange for healthcare coverage and job stability.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Salisbury in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Salisbury?
Are speech-language pathologists in Salisbury paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Salisbury?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Salisbury?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Salisbury. 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 Salisbury 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