Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $41.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Nashville, TN runs $41.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,123 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,275 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, TN, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists is projected to be $41.89 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.93. This difference can impact part-time clinicians who might typically work around three days a week or engage in per-diem roles. In environments such as schools, hospitals, and outpatient clinics, this translates to meaningful income but may vary widely depending on the setting. Entry-level positions start around $30.59 per hour, while more experienced speech-language pathologists can earn up to $56.01 per hour, reflecting their expertise and the specific demands of their work environments. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provides a solid reference point for evaluating hourly pay for this profession in Nashville.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.59 | $244.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.78 | $262.22 |
| Median (P50) | $41.89 | $335.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.89 | $415.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.01 | $448.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $41.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.89/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $87,125 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,265. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,675.49 | $7,260 | $87,125 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,005.29 | $4,356 | $52,275 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $670.19 | $2,904 | $34,850 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Nashville) | $41.89 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $87,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.40% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.00% above the Tennessee state average of $86,260.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.89/hr = $52,275/year (purchasing power: $54,262).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,125/year (purchasing power: $90,437).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Nashville grew 16.0% from $34.73/hr (2019) to $40.28/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.56/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
Examining the part-time earning potential for a speech-language pathologist working three days a week, the take-home pay computes to around $52,014 annually, significantly less than that of a full-time salary. For those who choose a per-diem route, rates can vary dramatically; per diem speech-language pathologists in Nashville often bill between $50 and $75 per hour, while medical SLPs specializing in dysphagia may command between $80 and $110 in cash practice settings. The variability continues with telepractice contracts that typically range from $40 to $60 per hour. Employers in Nashville include school districts, outpatient pediatric clinics, and skilled nursing facilities, each influencing the hourly pay structure. While some SLPs may accept lower hourly wages for the added benefits of health insurance, others pursue higher rates that come with a trade-off of fewer perks. For those entering the job market, negotiating with potential employers on pay can be critical, especially considering the existing disparities in hourly pay across different sectors in Nashville, TN.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
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 Nashville. 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