Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Albany, NY: $85,438 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Albany, NY earns a median $85,438/year (≈ $41.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Albany's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $85,810 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected annual salary of $85,438 in 2026, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Albany, NY, are experiencing a unique compensation landscape, especially in the medical specialty of dysphagia treatment. This is particularly relevant given that the local market includes a full salary range from $65,108 at the 10th percentile to $125,880 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from robust projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect a slight dip compared to the national median of $101,775. This indicates a localized market where those specializing in clinical or medical settings, such as hospital inpatient or skilled nursing facilities, can often secure higher pay, influenced by the demand for their specific expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,108 | $31.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,479 | $35.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,438 | $41.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,725 | $51.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,880 | $60.52 |
Median Salary Position
16.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, NY, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,772 (2026 est.). At $85,438, the local median is 16.05% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albany Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Albany median: $85,438/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $87,004 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.05% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Albany, NY earn a median of $85,438 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.05% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.80% below the New York state average of $87,004.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 0.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 99.566 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,438 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,810 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,480
2025 BLS Actual
$82,160
2026 Current Est.
$85,438
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,438 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,847 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 27.4% from $64,480 (2019) to $82,160 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,367 (37.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $65,108 – $73,479 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,479 – $85,438 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,438 – $106,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,725 – $125,880 |
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 Albany
The Albany job market currently employs approximately 690 SLPs, indicating a solid demand for professionals within this sector. Alongside this, the cost-of-living index stands at 99.566, slightly below the national average, which highlights a relatively stable economic environment for SLPs seeking to maximize their take-home pay. Opportunities for higher earnings can often be found in hospital and rehabilitation settings. Factors such as year-round contracts in medical roles, advanced board certifications, and bilingualism can further elevate pay. School districts remain the largest employers—accounting for about 55% of SLPs—but typically offer lower salaries compared to private practices or telepractice opportunities that have surged post-2020. For those looking to improve their financial standing, targeting specialized medical roles or seeking telepractice positions could be strategic moves in this evolving Albany market.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 $82,160 for speech-language pathologistsin the Albany 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