Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $84,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $84,052/year (≈ $40.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $94,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $84,052 for 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Nicholasville presents a competitive option for professionals in the field. This figure reflects a range from $54,575 at the lower end (P10) to $108,077 at the higher end (P90), underscoring the potential variability in compensation. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities suggest that while these salaries are somewhat lower compared to the national median of $101,775, they remain attractive given the city's lower cost of living. As telepractice becomes more prevalent, many practitioners are likely to supplement their income through 1099 side gigs, enhancing their overall hourly compensation.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,575 | $26.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,400 | $31.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,052 | $40.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,218 | $45.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,077 | $51.96 |
Median Salary Position
17.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,502 (2026 est.). At $84,052, the local median is 17.41% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be above the median
How Nicholasville Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $84,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $85,332 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.41% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $84,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $85,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville 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.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,342
2025 BLS Actual
$80,827
2026 Current Est.
$84,052
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,465 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,293 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,488 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,827 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,406 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $65,342 (2019) to $80,827 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,406 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,064 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $54,575 – $66,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,400 – $84,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,052 – $95,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,218 – $108,077 |
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 Nicholasville
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Nicholasville comprises a small cohort, with just six licensed professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 89.3, indicating that overall expenses are lower than the national average, which helps stretch salaries further in terms of purchasing power. Among the various settings, employers in school districts typically offer stable positions but may have lower overall compensation compared to medical facilities such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, which often pay more due to the complex nature of dysphagia treatments. The wide salary range can also be attributed to differences in employment settings, with medical roles generally commanding higher salaries than those in educational environments. Strategies to maximize earnings in Nicholasville include pursuing specialty certifications to qualify for higher pay tiers, engaging in telepractice for additional income, and considering bilingual SLP roles, which can come with premium compensation.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $80,827 for speech-language pathologistsin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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