Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Athens, GA: $97,636 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Athens, GA earns a median $97,636/year (≈ $46.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $104,599 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.9% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, speech-language pathologists earn a median annual salary of $97,636, which is slightly lower than the national median of $101,775 for the same year. The projected salary range for SLPs in this region stretches from $62,883 at the 10th percentile to $126,462 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the divide between school and medical settings; many SLPs in Athens work in educational institutions, which generally offer different contract structures compared to year-round medical positions. As school districts employ the majority of SLPs in the area, understanding this distinction is vital for prospective clinicians deciding where to focus their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,883 | $30.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,346 | $37.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,636 | $46.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,813 | $52.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,462 | $60.80 |
Median Salary Position
4.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,579 (2026 est.). At $97,636, the local median is 4.07% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be above the median
How Athens Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Athens median: $97,636/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $86,480 | +12.90% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -4.07% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Athens, GA earn a median of $97,636 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.07% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 12.90% above the Georgia state average of $86,480.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $97,636 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,599 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,470
2025 BLS Actual
$93,890
2026 Current Est.
$97,636
2019–2027 Growth
+65.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,636 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,532 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 52.7% from $61,470 (2019) to $93,890 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,062 (65.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $62,883 – $78,346 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,346 – $97,636 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,636 – $109,813 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,813 – $126,462 |
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 Athens
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Athens consists of around 70 professionals actively employed, indicating a stable demand for their expertise. With a cost of living index of 93.343, the lower living expenses in the area can potentially enhance the take-home purchasing power for SLPs, despite the slightly lower salaries compared to national figures. Among the various employers, medical facilities such as inpatient rehab and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation packages than school districts and private practices. Diverse factors contribute to the salary range, including the difference in settings—medical practices often surpass schools—and specialized skills, such as bilingual proficiency, which can attract a premium. For those looking to maximize their potential earnings in Athens, pursuing specialized certification or considering telepractice opportunities can serve as effective strategies in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 $93,890 for speech-language pathologistsin the Athens 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