Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lexington, KY: $90,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Lexington, KY earns a median $90,960/year (≈ $43.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $97,923 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Lexington, KY can expect to earn a median annual salary of $90,960, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,775. This compensation reflects a broader divide within the profession, influenced by the contrasting environments of school-based and medical settings. Overall salaries in Lexington range from $68,186 at the 10th percentile to $116,417 at the 90th percentile, derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026. The disparity between school districts and medical facilities significantly shapes the landscape of pay in this region. As the largest market, school systems employ roughly 55% of speech-language pathologists, but those in hospital or skilled nursing facilities typically command higher salaries due to the clinical demands of their roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,186 | $32.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,429 | $37.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,960 | $43.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,349 | $51.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,417 | $55.97 |
Median Salary Position
10.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,231 (2026 est.). At $90,960, the local median is 10.63% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Lexington median: $90,960/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $85,328 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -10.63% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Lexington, KY earn a median of $90,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.63% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 6.60% above the Kentucky state average of $85,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $90,960 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,923 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,710
2025 BLS Actual
$87,470
2026 Current Est.
$90,960
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,589 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 27.3% from $68,710 (2019) to $87,470 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,879 (37.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $68,186 – $78,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,429 – $90,960 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,960 – $107,349 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,349 – $116,417 |
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 Lexington
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Lexington is relatively robust, with approximately 360 professionals employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 92.889, suggesting that while the salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power in Lexington remains competitive due to lower living expenses. Among various employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the highest compensation, followed by skilled nursing facilities and outpatient pediatric clinics. Variations in pay commonly arise from workplace settings; medical SLPs generally earn more than those in private practice or school positions. To maximize earnings in this market, prospective speech-language pathologists should consider obtaining board specialty certifications, which can lead to higher salaries. Additionally, exploring telepractice opportunities, which surged during and after the pandemic, may also provide competitive hourly rates, particularly for bilingual professionals.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
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 $87,470 for speech-language pathologistsin the Lexington 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