Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Louisiana: $72,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $72,943/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,779 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Shreveport ($79,460), Monroe ($78,860), Bossier City ($78,198).
In Louisiana, speech-language pathologists can anticipate an average median salary of $72,943 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $101,775, resulting in a gap of 28.3%. The disparity in pay between cities is notable, with the highest-paying city, Shreveport, offering $82,630, while Slidell has the lowest at $63,216, a difference of $19,414. Variations in salaries between cities can be attributed to cost of living, demand for services, and local funding for speech therapy programs. Louisiana has specific licensing requirements and laws governing the scope of practice for speech-language pathologists that may influence job opportunities and salaries. As the demand for qualified professionals remains steady, driven by growing awareness of speech and language disorders, the job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%. With a total of 2,679 speech-language pathologists employed statewide, cities like Monroe ($82,007), Bossier City ($81,318), Metairie ($80,802), and New Orleans ($80,509) follow Shreveport in compensation, reflecting local demand. Understanding these factors is crucial for those considering a career in this field within Louisiana.
Louisiana Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $45,036 (lowest entry-level) to $145,836 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana speech-language pathologists earn 28.33% less than the national median ($-28,832/year difference).
Louisiana Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Louisiana range from $59,231 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $111,204 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $72,943. The Louisiana median is $28,832 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $35.07/hr. Approximately 2,679 speech-language pathologists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$83,201
2025 BLS Actual
$70,144
2026 Current Est.
$72,943
2019–2027 Growth
+-8.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,201 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,398 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,674 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,198 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,683 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,144 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,853 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -15.7% from $83,201 (2019) to $70,144 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,853 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,348 (-8.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Slidell | $63,216 |
| Hammond | $63,746 |
| Sulphur | $65,715 |
| Zachary | $66,095 |
| Natchitoches | $66,410 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | $82,007 | 83.597 | $98,098 |
| Shreveport | $82,630 | 84.766 | $97,480 |
| Alexandria | $80,155 | 85.686 | $93,545 |
| Bossier City | $81,318 | 90.3 | $90,053 |
| Metairie | $80,802 | 90.3 | $89,482 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,231 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $72,943 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $111,204 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreveport | $82,630 |
| 2 | Monroe | $82,007 |
| 3 | Bossier City | $81,318 |
| 4 | Metairie | $80,802 |
| 5 | New Orleans | $80,509 |
| 6 | Alexandria | $80,155 |
| 7 | Lafayette | $72,387 |
| 8 | Houma | $69,746 |
| 9 | Kenner | $69,628 |
| 10 | Ruston | $68,339 |
| 11 | Thibodaux | $68,282 |
| 12 | Central | $68,270 |
| 13 | Baton Rouge | $67,614 |
| 14 | New Iberia | $67,322 |
| 15 | Lake Charles | $67,302 |
| 16 | Natchitoches | $66,410 |
| 17 | Zachary | $66,095 |
| 18 | Sulphur | $65,715 |
| 19 | Hammond | $63,746 |
| 20 | Slidell | $63,216 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Louisiana?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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