Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $87,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $87,516/year (≈ $42.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $93,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is $87,516. This figure highlights a significant divide in salary potential between those employed in schools and medical settings. The salary range spans from $54,235 at the 10th percentile to $123,768 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations indicate that while salaries in Chapel Hill are slightly lower than the national median of $101,775, they remain competitive within the context of North Carolina's overall market. This reflects the local job market's dynamics, where schools constitute approximately 55% of employed SLPs, impacting average compensation through varying contract structures and funding sources.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,235 | $26.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,343 | $32.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,516 | $42.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,781 | $48.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,768 | $59.50 |
Median Salary Position
14.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,533 (2026 est.). At $87,516, the local median is 14.01% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $87,516/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,604 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -14.01% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $87,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.01% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.10% below the North Carolina state average of $87,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $87,516 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,500 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,035
2025 BLS Actual
$84,158
2026 Current Est.
$87,516
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,035 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,204 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,983 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,352 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,158 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $68,035 (2019) to $84,158 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,973 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $54,235 – $67,343 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,343 – $87,516 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,516 – $101,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,781 – $123,768 |
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 Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill's job market for speech-language pathologists is relatively small, with only nine professionals currently employed in the area. Despite the modest count, the cost of living index at 93.6 suggests that salaries can stretch further than in many other regions, providing a more favorable take-home pay scenario. Among local employers, medical facilities, particularly inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient pediatric clinics, typically offer the highest wages compared to school districts. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to setting differences, where medical roles command additional premiums for specialties such as dysphagia. For speech-language pathologists in Chapel Hill, maximizing potential pay could involve seeking positions in medical settings, pursuing board certifications, and considering bilingual opportunities to tap into market demands. As telepractice continues to expand, exploring remote opportunities may also provide a pathway for increased compensation.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, 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 $84,158 for speech-language pathologistsin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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