Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in North Carolina: $90,063 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $90,063/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $96,221 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greenville ($101,580), Rocky Mount ($93,850), Concord ($92,448).
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in North Carolina are projected to earn an average median salary of $90,064, which is 11.5% lower than the national median salary of $101,775. The variation in salaries across the state is notable, with Greenville leading at $105,633 while Burlington has the lowest at $80,540, highlighting a salary gap of $25,093. Factors contributing to this disparity include cost of living, local demand for services, and the presence of healthcare facilities. North Carolina has specific licensing requirements that must be fulfilled to practice as a speech-language pathologist. This includes obtaining a state license after completing a master's degree and passing a national examination. The scope of practice allows for a wide array of clinical and therapeutic responsibilities, with an increasing demand for services driven by factors such as an aging population and a greater awareness of communication disorders. With a total of 5,304 employed speech-language pathologists and a projected growth rate of 3.99%, the job market appears stable. Metro areas like Rocky Mount, Concord, Charlotte, and Gastonia also showcase competitive salaries, indicating varied opportunities throughout the state. Overall, aspiring speech-language pathologists can expect a promising job outlook in North Carolina despite the differences in pay across various cities.
North Carolina Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $50,227 (lowest entry-level) to $135,125 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina speech-language pathologists earn 11.51% less than the national median ($-11,712/year difference).
North Carolina Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in North Carolina range from $62,691 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,560 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $90,063. The North Carolina median is $11,712 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $43.30/hr. Approximately 5,304 speech-language pathologists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,717
2025 BLS Actual
$86,608
2026 Current Est.
$90,063
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,717 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,765 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,608 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,063 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,657 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 20.8% from $71,717 (2019) to $86,608 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,657 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,940 (30.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Burlington | $80,540 |
| High Point | $80,713 |
| Leland | $81,357 |
| Jacksonville | $81,424 |
| Greensboro | $81,975 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $105,633 | 88.402 | $119,492 |
| Rocky Mount | $97,595 | 88.012 | $110,888 |
| Concord | $96,137 | 93.6 | $102,710 |
| Hickory | $89,556 | 88.486 | $101,209 |
| Gastonia | $92,573 | 93.6 | $98,903 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,691 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $90,063 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $126,560 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenville | $105,633 |
| 2 | Rocky Mount | $97,595 |
| 3 | Concord | $96,137 |
| 4 | Charlotte | $94,589 |
| 5 | Gastonia | $92,573 |
| 6 | Raleigh | $90,887 |
| 7 | Winston-Salem | $90,800 |
| 8 | Cary | $90,455 |
| 9 | Hickory | $89,556 |
| 10 | Winston | $89,317 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $88,550 |
| 12 | Asheville | $88,433 |
| 13 | Kannapolis | $88,411 |
| 14 | Apex | $88,203 |
| 15 | Chapel Hill | $87,516 |
| 16 | Statesville | $86,884 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $86,809 |
| 18 | Durham | $86,790 |
| 19 | Matthews | $86,605 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $86,455 |
| 21 | Sanford | $86,380 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $86,378 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $86,340 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $86,109 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $86,094 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $85,952 |
| 27 | New Bern | $85,918 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $85,898 |
| 29 | Wilmington | $85,698 |
| 30 | Fayetteville | $85,178 |
| 31 | Holly Springs | $84,538 |
| 32 | Mooresville | $84,272 |
| 33 | Monroe | $84,239 |
| 34 | Garner | $84,049 |
| 35 | Wilson | $83,988 |
| 36 | Boone | $83,624 |
| 37 | Indian Trail | $82,900 |
| 38 | Carrboro | $82,575 |
| 39 | Pinehurst | $82,402 |
| 40 | Greensboro | $81,975 |
| 41 | Jacksonville | $81,424 |
| 42 | Leland | $81,357 |
| 43 | High Point | $80,713 |
| 44 | Burlington | $80,540 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in North Carolina?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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