Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Mississippi: $81,630 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $81,630/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,251 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($83,080), Tupelo ($83,061), Madison ($82,729).
In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Mississippi is projected to be $81,630, which is 19.8% lower than the national median of $101,775. The highest-paying city is Pearl, with a salary of $86,395, while Hattiesburg offers the lowest at $77,098, reflecting a salary gap of $9,297. This difference can be attributed to various factors including cost of living, demand for services, and healthcare infrastructure in these areas. Mississippi requires state licensing for speech-language pathologists, and adheres to scope of practice laws that align with national standards. Demand is driven by an increasing awareness of speech and language disorders, particularly in schools and rehabilitation centers. The employment outlook is encouraging, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, indicating a steady need for professionals in this field. In addition to Pearl, other cities projected to offer competitive salaries include Tupelo at $86,375, Madison at $86,030, Southaven at $85,800, and Horn Lake at $85,448. The overall employment in the state is currently about 830 speech-language pathologists, signaling a growing job market for upcoming professionals in Mississippi.
Mississippi Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $52,016 (lowest entry-level) to $119,807 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi speech-language pathologists earn 19.79% less than the national median ($-20,145/year difference).
Mississippi Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Mississippi range from $58,302 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,534 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $81,630. The Mississippi median is $20,145 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $39.24/hr. Approximately 830 speech-language pathologists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,746
2025 BLS Actual
$78,498
2026 Current Est.
$81,630
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,008 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,213 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,630 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,888 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 25.1% from $62,746 (2019) to $78,498 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,888 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,142 (35.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $77,098 |
| Clinton | $80,194 |
| Laurel | $80,667 |
| Jackson | $81,809 |
| Columbus | $82,018 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $86,395 | 85.7 | $100,811 |
| Tupelo | $86,375 | 85.7 | $100,788 |
| Madison | $86,030 | 85.7 | $100,385 |
| Southaven | $85,800 | 85.7 | $100,117 |
| Horn Lake | $85,448 | 85.7 | $99,706 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $58,302 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $81,630 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $112,534 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $86,395 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $86,375 |
| 3 | Madison | $86,030 |
| 4 | Southaven | $85,800 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $85,448 |
| 6 | Starkville | $84,818 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $83,743 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $83,743 |
| 9 | Oxford | $83,214 |
| 10 | Brandon | $83,126 |
| 11 | Biloxi | $83,037 |
| 12 | Meridian | $82,687 |
| 13 | Olive Branch | $82,523 |
| 14 | Hernando | $82,109 |
| 15 | Gulfport | $82,069 |
| 16 | Columbus | $82,018 |
| 17 | Jackson | $81,809 |
| 18 | Laurel | $80,667 |
| 19 | Clinton | $80,194 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $77,098 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Mississippi cities.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Mississippi in 2026?
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How does Mississippi speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Mississippi?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi 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 Mississippi. 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