Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Lubbock, TX: $39.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Lubbock, TX runs $39.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,745 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Lubbock's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,654 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lubbock, Texas, the median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is $39.79, which is significantly lower than the national median of $48.93. This hourly rate is indicative of what professionals in various settings—including school therapy rooms, hospital bedside evaluations, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and telepractice sessions—can expect. The range of pay spans from $31.22 for entry-level positions to $64.73 for the highest earners, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in Lubbock. For part-time practitioners, working a typical 3-day workweek can offer steady income while allowing for flexibility and the possibility of pursuing additional opportunities. These hourly rates are based on estimates drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.22 | $249.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.31 | $266.46 |
| Median (P50) | $39.79 | $318.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.24 | $409.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.73 | $517.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lubbock
Based on $39.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.79/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lubbock, TX can expect to earn approximately $82,756 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,744. With a cost-of-living index of 91.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lubbock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lubbock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,591.46 | $6,896 | $82,756 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $954.88 | $4,138 | $49,654 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $636.59 | $2,759 | $33,102 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Lubbock) | $39.79 |
| 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 Lubbock, TX earn a median of $82,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.70% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 14.20% below the Texas state average of $96,439.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.79/hr = $49,654/year (purchasing power: $54,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,756/year (purchasing power: $90,625).
CoL index: 91.317 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Lubbock grew -2.1% from $39.09/hr (2019) to $38.26/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.37/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
Analyzing the financial landscape for speech-language pathologists in Lubbock reveals a dynamic environment. A part-time speech-language pathologist, working 24 hours a week, could earn approximately $49,000 annually, which is a notable difference compared to the full-time salary potential. Moreover, per diem positions often command a higher pay scale, with rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour in many local facilities, while specialized medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia can earn up to $110 per hour in cash practices. This suggests significant variability based on employer type—school districts, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices often offer contrasting salaries and benefits packages. It’s common for professionals to choose between lower hourly rates with comprehensive health benefits and higher pay without those advantages. For those exploring job offers, especially in Lubbock's education and healthcare sectors, emphasizing negotiation on hourly rates can lead to better compensation while maximizing work-life balance.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. 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