Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Carrboro, NC: $82,575 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Carrboro, NC earns a median $82,575/year (≈ $39.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Carrboro's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $88,221 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $82,575 for 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Carrboro, NC, is roughly 18.87% lower than the national median of $101,775. Salaries in Carrboro range from $53,281 at the lower end (P10) to $103,962 at the upper end (P90), reflecting a diverse job market for speech-language pathologists. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, consider local economic conditions, including a cost-of-living index of 93.6, which indicates that the overall living expenses in Carrboro are somewhat lower than the national average. The area's increasing demand for telepractice services has opened additional avenues for income, allowing practitioners to enhance their earnings through remote services.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,281 | $25.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,067 | $33.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,575 | $39.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,564 | $44.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,962 | $49.98 |
Median Salary Position
18.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
In Carrboro, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,681 (2026 est.). At $82,575, the local median is 18.87% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrboro: You'd be above the median
How Carrboro Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Carrboro median: $82,575/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,567 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.87% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $82,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.87% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $87,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrboro has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carrboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,575 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,221 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,194
2025 BLS Actual
$79,407
2026 Current Est.
$82,575
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,194 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,298 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,267 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,446 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,407 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,575 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,870 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrboro metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,194 (2019) to $79,407 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,870 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,676 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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) | $53,281 – $70,067 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,067 – $82,575 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,575 – $92,564 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,564 – $103,962 |
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 Carrboro
In Carrboro, a small community with only six speech-language pathologists employed, the job market is quite niche. The cost-of-living index suggests that speech-language pathologists may enjoy a relatively higher purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national figures. Within the local landscape, school districts typically employ the majority of SLPs, accounting for roughly 55% of the workforce, though medical facilities, including skilled nursing and outpatient pediatric clinics, often offer the most competitive pay. Factors that contribute to varying salaries include the working environment—medical settings generally pay more than schools—contract structures, and potential stipends for bilingual skills or board certifications. For those looking to maximize their income in Carrboro, considering private practice or telepractice opportunities along with gaining additional certifications can be a strategic approach to enhance long-term salary prospects.
More salary data for Carrboro, NC:
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 $79,407 for speech-language pathologistsin the Carrboro 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 Carrboro 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