Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Ruston, LA: $68,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Ruston, LA earns a median $68,339/year (≈ $32.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $75,680 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $68,339 for 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Ruston, LA, reveals a notable gap compared to the national average of $101,775. The local pay range spans from $46,757 at the 10th percentile to $88,649 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential based on experience, setting, and specialization. Particularly for those with expertise in dysphagia or medical settings, a premium can be expected. These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost factors, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges within the Ruston job market, especially when factoring in sector demand.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,757 | $22.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,478 | $26.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,339 | $32.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,221 | $37.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,649 | $42.62 |
Median Salary Position
32.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,892 (2026 est.). At $68,339, the local median is 32.85% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be above the median
How Ruston Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Ruston median: $68,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $71,039 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -32.85% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Ruston, LA earn a median of $68,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.85% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $71,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $68,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,680 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,127
2025 BLS Actual
$65,717
2026 Current Est.
$68,339
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,127 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,087 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,498 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,204 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,717 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $53,127 (2019) to $65,717 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,939 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $46,757 – $55,478 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,478 – $68,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,339 – $78,221 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,221 – $88,649 |
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 Ruston
There are currently four speech-language pathologists employed in Ruston, which helps shape the local job market dynamics. With a cost-of-living index at 90.3, the purchasing power of these salaries may be more favorable than it appears, allowing residents to stretch their earnings further. Among various employers in the area, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, primarily due to the specialized nature of the work. The pay spread can also be influenced by the differences between medical settings and schools, with school contracts often limited to the academic year. For those looking to maximize their income in Ruston, pursuing specialized settings such as dysphagia treatment, obtaining board certification, and considering telepractice options could provide significant advantages in terms of pay.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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 $65,717 for speech-language pathologistsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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