Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Dothan, AL: $72,658 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Dothan, AL earns a median $72,658/year (≈ $34.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $86,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, the average speech-language pathologist salary is projected to reach $72,658 by 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $101,775, reflecting a regional variance that speaks to the unique demands of the local healthcare market. The projected salary range for this profession extends from $64,307 at the 10th percentile to as much as $112,382 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, highlights that those specializing in dysphagia and other medical SLP practices may command higher salaries compared to their peers in educational settings, reflecting the critical patient needs in healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,307 | $30.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,552 | $32.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,658 | $34.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,746 | $51.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,382 | $54.03 |
Median Salary Position
28.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,075 (2026 est.). At $72,658, the local median is 28.61% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Dothan Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Dothan median: $72,658/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $74,905 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -28.61% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Dothan, AL earn a median of $72,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.61% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.00% below the Alabama state average of $74,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $72,658 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,670 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,600
2025 BLS Actual
$69,870
2026 Current Est.
$72,658
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,658 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,557 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 11.6% from $62,600 (2019) to $69,870 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,557 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,957 (20.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,307 – $67,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,552 – $72,658 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,658 – $106,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,746 – $112,382 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Dothan
As of now, Dothan employs around 70 speech-language pathologists, a number that speaks to the growth potential in the market, particularly given the estimated annual growth rate of 3.99%. The cost of living index in Dothan is a favorable 83.833, meaning that despite the lower average salaries, SLPs can enjoy a relatively higher purchasing power when compared to national averages. Among local employers, hospital settings, especially those focusing on inpatient rehabilitation, tend to offer higher pay; conversely, school districts dominate the employment landscape, employing the majority of SLPs but typically at lower rates. Factors influencing salary ranges include work settings with medical roles usually offering better compensation, year-round contracts in telepractice positions, bilingual premiums, and specialized certifications which may enhance an SLP's market value. To maximize earnings, professionals should leverage specialties and consider roles in higher-paying medical facilities, while also exploring opportunities in telepractice that have grown dramatically since 2020.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $69,870 for speech-language pathologistsin the Dothan metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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