Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Florence, KY: $84,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Florence, KY earns a median $84,569/year (≈ $40.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Florence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $94,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For speech-language pathologists in Florence, KY, the projected median salary in 2026 stands at $84,569, reflecting a noteworthy contrast to the national median of $101,775. The wage spectrum ranges from $55,871 at the 10th percentile to $109,975 at the 90th percentile, indicating considerable variability influenced by factors like work setting and contract type. Notably, the distinction between school-based SLPs and those in medical facilities significantly impacts salary. School districts, which account for the majority of SLP employment, often offer lower annual salaries compared to hospital settings, where year-round contracts can yield increased earnings and opportunities for specialized roles.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,871 | $26.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,434 | $32.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,569 | $40.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,363 | $46.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,975 | $52.87 |
Median Salary Position
16.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, KY, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,104 (2026 est.). At $84,569, the local median is 16.91% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Florence median: $84,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $85,337 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.91% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Florence, KY earn a median of $84,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.91% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $85,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,569 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,702 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,744
2025 BLS Actual
$81,324
2026 Current Est.
$84,569
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,744 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,694 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,943 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $65,744 (2019) to $81,324 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,943 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,199 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $55,871 – $67,434 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,434 – $84,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,569 – $96,363 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,363 – $109,975 |
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 Florence
The local job market in Florence hosts only seven employed speech-language pathologists, a relatively modest figure that underscores the competition for positions in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3—below the national average—take-home pay can stretch further in this region, which may help offset the lower salaries observed compared to national norms. Among employers, hospital inpatient rehab facilities and outpatient pediatric clinics tend to offer the most competitive pay, whereas school settings typically lag behind due to contract structures and funding limitations. Maximizing earnings in Florence might involve pursuing bilingual certifications or positions within telepractice, which have seen significant growth since 2020. For SLPs seeking to enhance their pay, focusing on specialized training and exploring multiple employment avenues, such as combining school and telepractice roles, could provide viable paths.
More salary data for Florence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Florence?
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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 $81,324 for speech-language pathologistsin the Florence 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
Salary data for Florence is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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