Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $50.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Houston, TX runs $50.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,406 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,645 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the 2026 median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is projected to be $50.20, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $48.93. This rate provides a competitive edge for SLPs considering part-time or per-diem work, as they can earn a substantial wage across various settings, from therapy rooms in schools to outpatient clinics and hospital bedsides. For professionals in entry-level positions, the hourly range starts at approximately $34.83, while experienced SLPs can earn up to $67.78, reflecting their specialization and years of service. Such flexibility allows speech-language pathologists to craft their work-life balance while tapping into consistent demand across urban healthcare environments in Houston.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.83 | $278.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.90 | $319.21 |
| Median (P50) | $50.20 | $401.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.38 | $483.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.78 | $542.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $50.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.20/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $104,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,235. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,007.84 | $8,701 | $104,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,204.70 | $5,220 | $62,645 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $803.14 | $3,480 | $41,763 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Houston) | $50.20 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $104,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.59% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 8.30% above the Texas state average of $96,404.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.20/hr = $62,645/year (purchasing power: $63,515).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,408/year (purchasing power: $105,859).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Houston grew 43.7% from $33.60/hr (2019) to $48.27/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.20/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 Houston 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 Houston
With the potential to work part-time, a speech-language pathologist might find themselves earning a sturdy annual income working three days a week. For instance, if the individual works 24 hours weekly, their earnings can accumulate to around $62,848 based on the hourly rate without any overtime considerations. The per-diem rates present an even broader spectrum, with agency and freelance SLPs typically billing between $50-$75/hour for general services and upwards of $80-$110/hour in specialized medical settings focused on dysphagia. Interestingly, hourly rates often differ based on employer type; school districts, which employ about 55% of SLPs, usually offer lower rates compared to hospitals and private practices, where dysphagia specialists can command higher wages. Consequently, many SLPs face the balancing act of securing higher hourly pay against the stability and benefits provided by full-time positions. For those negotiating hourly contracts, it’s essential to weigh the trade-offs between immediate financial gain and long-term benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 Houston. 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