Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Gainesville, GA: $80,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Gainesville, GA earns a median $80,052/year (≈ $38.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $82,727 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, GA, the salary for speech-language pathologists reflects the distinct demand for specialized practitioners, particularly those with expertise in dysphagia and other medical subspecialties. The projected median annual salary stands at $80,052, indicating a significant yet accessible income within this healthcare field. Salary ranges across different experience levels and specialties vary notably, with entry-level professionals earning around $56,789, while those at the top of their field can command as much as $125,911. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, providing reliable insights into the compensation landscape. Notably, this context positions Gainesville as an attractive market for those seeking to enter or advance in the speech-language pathology profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,789 | $27.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,711 | $31.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,052 | $38.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,057 | $45.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,911 | $60.53 |
Median Salary Position
21.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, GA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,122 (2026 est.). At $80,052, the local median is 21.34% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gainesville Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $80,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $86,449 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -21.34% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $80,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.34% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 7.40% below the Georgia state average of $86,449.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 96.766 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $80,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,727 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,790
2025 BLS Actual
$76,980
2026 Current Est.
$80,052
2019–2027 Growth
+12.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,246 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 4.3% from $73,790 (2019) to $76,980 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,246 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,456 (12.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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) | $56,789 – $65,711 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,711 – $80,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,052 – $95,057 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,057 – $125,911 |
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 Gainesville
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Gainesville employs around 50 professionals, and this relatively small pool can lead to increased opportunities for qualified candidates. Coupled with a cost of living index of 96.766, which is below the national average, residents enjoy a more favorable take-home purchasing power. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer some of the highest salaries, owing to the specialized nature of medical SLP roles in these settings. In contrast, school positions, while stable, generally offer lower salaries due to shorter contracts and budget constraints. The wide salary spectrum is often influenced by settings, certifications, and additional language skills. For aspiring and current SLPs in Gainesville, strategically pursuing roles in high-demand facilities, exploring telepractice opportunities, or obtaining specialty certifications could significantly enhance earning potential while navigating this evolving field.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Gainesville, GA in 2026?
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Gainesville?
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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 $76,980 for speech-language pathologistsin the Gainesville 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