Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Hopkinsville, KY: $83,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Hopkinsville, KY earns a median $83,165/year (≈ $39.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Hopkinsville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $93,130 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a speech-language pathologist in Hopkinsville, Kentucky can anticipate a median annual salary of $83,165, which reflects a notable difference of approximately 18.29% below the national median of $101,775. The salary range for this position varies significantly, from the 10th percentile at $52,617 to the 90th percentile at $113,273. These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. With telepractice gaining momentum, even as a side income option, SLPs in this area have opportunities to supplement their earnings effectively while navigating the diverse landscape of local clinical settings and educational institutions.
About the Hopkinsville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,617 | $25.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,597 | $31.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,165 | $39.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,016 | $45.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,273 | $54.46 |
Median Salary Position
18.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hopkinsville
In Hopkinsville, KY, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,656 (2026 est.). At $83,165, the local median is 18.29% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hopkinsville: You'd be above the median
How Hopkinsville Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Hopkinsville median: $83,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hopkinsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $85,385 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.29% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Hopkinsville, KY earn a median of $83,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.29% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $85,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hopkinsville 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.
Hopkinsville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $83,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,130 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$64,653
2025 BLS Actual
$79,974
2026 Current Est.
$83,165
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Hopkinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,653 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,603 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,755 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,974 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,483 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hopkinsville metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,653 (2019) to $79,974 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,483 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,830 (33.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hopkinsville 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) | $52,617 – $64,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,597 – $83,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,165 – $95,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,016 – $113,273 |
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 Hopkinsville
The local job market reveals a modest concentration of six employed speech-language pathologists, suggesting a niche environment that could impact available resources and competition. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, the purchasing power for SLPs in Hopkinsville is slightly better than the national average, allowing for a decent standard of living. While school districts generally represent the largest employer segment for SLPs—employing around 55% of the workforce—those in medical settings like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically command higher salaries due to the complex nature of their work, particularly with dysphagia. Strategies such as pursuing board specialty certifications, considering year-round contracts, or capitalizing on bilingual capabilities can significantly boost individual earning potential. For those looking to maximize their pay in Hopkinsville, understanding the local job market dynamics is essential.
More salary data for Hopkinsville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Hopkinsville, KY in 2026?
Is Hopkinsville, KY a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Hopkinsville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Hopkinsville?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Hopkinsville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $79,974 for speech-language pathologistsin the Hopkinsville 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 Hopkinsville 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