Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Owensboro, KY: $84,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Owensboro, KY earns a median $84,513/year (≈ $40.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Owensboro's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $95,376 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a speech-language pathologist salary in Owensboro, Kentucky, is projected to reach a median of $84,513, reflecting the competitive dynamics of this specialized field. With salaries ranging from $71,119 at the 10th percentile to $107,682 at the 90th percentile, these figures underscore the importance of credentials and specialization, particularly in areas like dysphagia management, where medical SLPs can command higher pay. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, these estimates indicate that while Owensboro's salaries trail the national median of $101,775 by roughly 16.96%, the local job market remains robust and appealing, offering a variety of opportunities for practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,119 | $34.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,719 | $38.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,513 | $40.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,071 | $50.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,682 | $51.77 |
Median Salary Position
16.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owensboro
In Owensboro, KY, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,563 (2026 est.). At $84,513, the local median is 16.96% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owensboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Owensboro Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Owensboro median: $84,513/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $85,366 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.96% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $84,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.96% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.00% below the Kentucky state average of $85,366.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owensboro has a cost of living 11.39% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owensboro, KY has a cost-of-living index of 88.61 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,513 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,376 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,260
2025 BLS Actual
$81,270
2026 Current Est.
$84,513
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,885 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owensboro metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 20.8% from $67,260 (2019) to $81,270 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,885 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,625 (30.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owensboro 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) | $71,119 – $79,719 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,719 – $84,513 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,513 – $105,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,071 – $107,682 |
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 Owensboro
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Owensboro appears stable, with 70 professionals currently employed. The local cost of living index is notably lower at 88.61, enhancing the purchasing power of SLPs in the region compared to national averages. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs often offer higher salaries due to the clinical demands associated with medical SLP practice. Factors such as the setting, type of contract (school-year vs. year-round), and specialized board certification can greatly affect pay, with telepractice roles gaining traction as they present flexible work options and additional income streams. To maximize earnings in Owensboro, SLPs should consider pursuing medical SLP certifications, exploring bilingual opportunities, and engaging in telepractice, which has expanded significantly since 2020. These strategies not only enhance an SLP's financial outlook but also contribute to career growth in this community-focused healthcare market.
More salary data for Owensboro, 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 $81,270 for speech-language pathologistsin the Owensboro 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