Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $48.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Dayton, OH runs $48.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,787 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,464 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Dayton, Ohio, the projected median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist stands at $48.45, slightly below the national median of $48.93. For those in this profession working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to considerable earnings, especially in various settings like school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and telepractice environments. Entry-level SLPs can expect to earn around $34.91 per hour, while top earners may command up to $60.96. This hourly data comes directly from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, reflecting a reasonable pay scale for speech-language pathologists throughout the region.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.91 | $279.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.50 | $324.03 |
| Median (P50) | $48.45 | $387.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.34 | $418.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.96 | $487.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $48.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.45/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $100,774 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,139. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,937.96 | $8,398 | $100,774 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,162.77 | $5,039 | $60,464 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $775.18 | $3,359 | $40,310 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Dayton) | $48.45 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $100,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.97% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.30% above the Ohio state average of $95,714.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.45/hr = $60,464/year (purchasing power: $65,230).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,774/year (purchasing power: $108,717).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Dayton grew 21.3% from $38.42/hr (2019) to $46.59/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.38/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
For a three-day work week totaling 24 hours, a speech-language pathologist would approximately take home $57,477 annually, offering a strong income compared to full-time positions. Many per diem speech-language pathologists find themselves billing between $50 and $75 an hour, with those in specialized medical settings, particularly dysphagia, earning as much as $80-$110 per hour. Employer types in Dayton create varied hourly rates; school districts, which employ approximately 55% of SLPs, generally offer lower pay compared to hospitals and outpatient clinics. It's essential to weigh benefits against hourly rates because some SLPs accept positions with less pay in exchange for health insurance and stability. Negotiating for better pay in a competitive market can be essential, particularly in specialized fields like telepractice, where rates can significantly vary based on caseload and demand.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Dayton. 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