Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Atlanta, GA: $106,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Atlanta, GA earns a median $106,964/year (≈ $51.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $106,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a speech-language pathologist in Atlanta, GA, can expect a median annual salary of $106,964, surpassing the national median of $101,775 by about 5.10%. Salaries in the region span a full range, from $65,888 at the lower end to $134,324 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the ongoing need for qualified professionals amid a diverse landscape of employment settings, particularly in medical versus educational environments. As roughly 55% of SLPs are employed in school districts, the salaries can differ significantly depending on whether practitioners work in year-round contracts, such as in medical facilities, or in academic roles tied to school calendars.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,888 | $31.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,866 | $37.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,964 | $51.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,065 | $55.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,324 | $64.58 |
Median Salary Position
5.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,436 (2026 est.). At $106,964, the local median is 5.1% above the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Atlanta: You'd be above the median
How Atlanta Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $106,964/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $86,471 | +23.70% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +5.10% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $106,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.10% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 23.70% above the Georgia state average of $86,471.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,964 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,902 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,620
2025 BLS Actual
$102,860
2026 Current Est.
$106,964
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 34.2% from $76,620 (2019) to $102,860 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,612 (45.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $65,888 – $78,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,866 – $106,964 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,964 – $115,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,065 – $134,324 |
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 Atlanta
In Atlanta, the job market for speech-language pathologists is robust, with approximately 2,410 professionals currently employed. While the cost of living index stands at 100.058, indicating a slightly above-average cost of living, the take-home pay can vary considerably based on the setting. Hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient pediatric clinics typically offer the highest salaries, while school positions may come with lower compensation due to their contract terms. Factors such as board specialty certification stipends are also instrumental in narrowing the pay gap. To maximize earnings in Atlanta, consider pursuing bilingual certification, as demand in this area often commands a pay premium. Furthermore, exploring telepractice opportunities or specializing in dysphagia can elevate income potential in this diverse market.
More salary data for Atlanta, 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 $102,860 for speech-language pathologistsin the Atlanta 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