Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Florence, AL: $75,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Florence, AL earns a median $75,778/year (≈ $36.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Florence's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 84.8), that paycheck buys what $89,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Florence, Alabama is projected to be $75,778, which is approximately 25.54% lower than the national median of $101,775. This profession commands a salary range from $51,309 at the 10th percentile to $103,116 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variance based on experience, setting, and subspecialization. The data derives from official BLS OEWS surveys and reflects trends in the local market, where medical SLPs, particularly those specializing in dysphagia, tend to earn higher salaries due to the critical nature of their work. Given the composition of the workforce in Florence, including around 40 employed speech-language pathologists, this market offers a range of opportunities that impacts compensation structure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,309 | $24.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,416 | $29.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,778 | $36.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,639 | $43.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,116 | $49.57 |
Median Salary Position
25.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,807 (2026 est.). At $75,778, the local median is 25.54% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Florence median: $75,778/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $74,879 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -25.54% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Florence, AL earn a median of $75,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.54% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.20% above the Alabama state average of $74,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 15.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, AL has a cost-of-living index of 84.817 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $75,778 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,343 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,030
2025 BLS Actual
$72,870
2026 Current Est.
$75,778
2019–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,801 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 30.1% from $56,030 (2019) to $72,870 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,771 (40.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $51,309 – $61,416 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,416 – $75,778 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,778 – $89,639 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,639 – $103,116 |
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 Florence
In this region, the cost of living index stands at 84.817, indicating that the expenses associated with living in Florence are below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. School districts employ a significant portion of local SLPs, but those working in hospital inpatient rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities typically see higher compensation due to the complexity of care and need for specialized skills. The breadth of pay disparities can be attributed to various factors, such as the differences between medical and educational settings, contract types (year-round versus school year), and potential stipends for board-certified specialties. To maximize earnings in the Florence market, clinicians may consider pursuing certifications, exploring positions in high-demand medical settings, or engaging in telepractice opportunities, which have seen substantial growth post-2020. Understanding these local dynamics can help speech-language pathologists strategically navigate their career paths.
More salary data for Florence, 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 $72,870 for speech-language pathologistsin the Florence 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