Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Georgia: $100,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $100,122/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $107,542 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($104,872), Atlanta ($102,860), Roswell ($100,527).
The projected average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Georgia in 2026 is $100,122, which is about 1.6% lower than the national median of $101,775. This variance highlights Georgia's competitive yet slightly lower compensation landscape for this profession. The salary range within the state shows significant disparity, with the highest paying city, Sandy Springs, offering $109,056, while Valdosta presents the lowest salary at $73,698—a difference of $35,358. Factors influencing this gap include cost of living, local demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metro areas. Georgia's licensing requirements for speech-language pathologists necessitate a master's degree, clinical experience, and state licensure, influencing practitioners' entry into the field. The projected annual growth rate for the profession in the state stands at 3.99%, which indicates a solid job market outlook driven by increasing recognition of communication disorders and the growing need for specialized services across various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private practices. The top five projected cities for salaries in Georgia are Sandy Springs ($109,056), Atlanta ($106,964), Roswell ($104,538), Brunswick ($104,146), and Athens ($97,636), reflecting the influence of urban centers on compensation levels.
Georgia Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $51,340 (lowest entry-level) to $148,400 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia speech-language pathologists earn 1.62% less than the national median ($-1,653/year difference).
Georgia Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Georgia range from $63,420 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $129,082 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,122. The Georgia median is $1,653 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $48.13/hr. Approximately 3,770 speech-language pathologists are employed across 40 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,381
2025 BLS Actual
$96,280
2026 Current Est.
$100,122
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,381 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,787 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,773 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,211 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,117 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 24.4% from $77,381 (2019) to $96,280 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,117 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,736 (34.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Valdosta | $73,698 |
| Gainesville | $80,052 |
| Griffin | $80,451 |
| Canton | $81,977 |
| Tucker | $82,172 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | $104,146 | 87.708 | $118,742 |
| Sandy Springs | $109,056 | 93.1 | $117,139 |
| Roswell | $104,538 | 93.1 | $112,286 |
| Columbus | $97,272 | 89.296 | $108,932 |
| Atlanta | $106,964 | 100.058 | $106,902 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,420 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,122 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $129,082 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $109,056 |
| 2 | Atlanta | $106,964 |
| 3 | Roswell | $104,538 |
| 4 | Brunswick | $104,146 |
| 5 | Athens | $97,636 |
| 6 | Columbus | $97,272 |
| 7 | Rome | $88,849 |
| 8 | Alpharetta | $87,367 |
| 9 | South Fulton | $87,266 |
| 10 | Savannah | $86,717 |
| 11 | Brookhaven | $86,483 |
| 12 | Augusta | $86,260 |
| 13 | Lawrenceville | $85,884 |
| 14 | Warner Robins | $85,792 |
| 15 | Statesboro | $85,790 |
| 16 | Woodstock | $85,689 |
| 17 | Stockbridge | $85,562 |
| 18 | Pooler | $85,441 |
| 19 | Macon | $85,043 |
| 20 | Marietta | $84,915 |
| 21 | Peachtree Corners | $84,904 |
| 22 | Johns Creek | $84,538 |
| 23 | Hinesville | $84,058 |
| 24 | Evans | $83,891 |
| 25 | Douglasville | $83,810 |
| 26 | Dunwoody | $83,805 |
| 27 | Smyrna | $83,716 |
| 28 | Dalton | $83,475 |
| 29 | McDonough | $83,360 |
| 30 | Newnan | $83,226 |
| 31 | Milton | $83,192 |
| 32 | Kennesaw | $82,568 |
| 33 | Albany | $82,526 |
| 34 | Cartersville | $82,382 |
| 35 | Peachtree City | $82,381 |
| 36 | Tucker | $82,172 |
| 37 | Canton | $81,977 |
| 38 | Griffin | $80,451 |
| 39 | Gainesville | $80,052 |
| 40 | Valdosta | $73,698 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Georgia?
How does Georgia speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Georgia?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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