Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Salem, NH: $106,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Salem, NH earns a median $106,569/year (≈ $51.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $99,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Salem, NH, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $106,569, which represents a significant boost compared to the national median of $101,775. This salary range varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting at $67,564 (P10) and top earners reaching as high as $138,882 (P90). The data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price variations, reveals a robust local employment market for SLPs. The disparity in pay scales can often be traced to the structural divide between school-based and medical SLP roles, with year-round positions in medical settings generally yielding higher salaries due to the complexity of services provided, particularly in rehabilitative contexts.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,564 | $32.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,982 | $39.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,569 | $51.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,855 | $58.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,882 | $66.77 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,318 (2026 est.). At $106,569, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Salem median: $106,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $109,190 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +4.71% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Salem, NH earn a median of $106,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $109,190.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,569 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,319 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,847
2025 BLS Actual
$102,480
2026 Current Est.
$106,569
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,271 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,784 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,103 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,496 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,821 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $82,847 (2019) to $102,480 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,821 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,974 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $67,564 – $82,982 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,982 – $106,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,569 – $121,855 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,855 – $138,882 |
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 Salem
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently eight speech-language pathologists employed in Salem, reflecting the demand for services across various settings. The cost of living index stands at 107.3, which impacts the effective purchasing power of SLPs in the region. Schools remain the largest employers, accounting for roughly 55% of SLP roles, but potential earnings are typically greater in hospital settings or specialized services, such as skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, where dysphagia and other complexities demand higher expertise. Salary variances arise from factors like contract duration—medical contracts often provide more consistent employment throughout the year compared to the school year. Additionally, bilingual skills and certifications can command salary premiums that enhance overall compensation. For SLPs looking to maximize their pay in Salem, pursuing specialized board certifications or engaging in telepractice opportunities can lead to increased financial rewards in this competitive market.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
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 $102,480 for speech-language pathologistsin the Salem 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 Salem 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