Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Valdosta, GA: $73,698 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Valdosta, GA earns a median $73,698/year (≈ $35.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Valdosta's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $83,491 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.8% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Valdosta, Georgia, the projected salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $73,698 annually. This figure significantly lags behind the national average of $101,775, revealing a pay gap of 27.59%. Salary estimates indicate a broad range, with entry-level positions (P10) earning $52,525, while seasoned professionals (P90) can command salaries up to $106,902. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, paints a detailed picture of the local market. Many SLPs in Valdosta also explore telepractice opportunities as a secondary income, further influencing their overall compensation dynamics and reflecting a growing trend in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,525 | $25.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,468 | $29.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,698 | $35.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,993 | $46.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,902 | $51.39 |
Median Salary Position
27.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Valdosta
In Valdosta, GA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,377 (2026 est.). At $73,698, the local median is 27.59% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Valdosta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Valdosta Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Valdosta median: $73,698/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Valdosta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $86,500 | -14.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -27.59% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Valdosta, GA earn a median of $73,698 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.59% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 14.80% below the Georgia state average of $86,500.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Valdosta has a cost of living 11.73% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Valdosta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 88.271 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $73,698 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,491 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,190
2025 BLS Actual
$70,870
2026 Current Est.
$73,698
2019–2027 Growth
+38.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Valdosta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,698 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Valdosta metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 28.4% from $55,190 (2019) to $70,870 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,448 (38.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Valdosta 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) | $52,525 – $61,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,468 – $73,698 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,698 – $95,993 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,993 – $106,902 |
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 Valdosta
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Valdosta appears steady, with around 70 professionals employed locally. The cost of living index of 88.271 indicates that residents enjoy a lower-than-average living expense, often enhancing the take-home value of their earnings. Among the various employers, local school districts typically have the largest workforce, often dictating pricing trends. Hospital settings, offering positions in inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, usually provide higher salaries due to their specialized nature. Differences in pay often reflect the work setting, with medical roles typically commanding more than school positions, alongside various certifications potentially enhancing earnings. To maximize income in Valdosta, SLPs should consider positions in telepractice and additional certifications, alongside seeking bilingual opportunities that are increasingly valued in the market.
More salary data for Valdosta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Valdosta, GA in 2026?
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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 $70,870 for speech-language pathologistsin the Valdosta 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