Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Gastonia, NC: $92,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Gastonia, NC earns a median $92,573/year (≈ $44.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $98,903 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gastonia, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists is $92,573 for 2026, which is approximately 9% lower than the national median of $101,775. The local salary range highlights a diverse pay scale, from $60,284 at the 10th percentile up to $125,188 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflect the significant demand for specialists in dysphagia and other medical areas. As the local job market evolves, those with qualifications in these subspecialties might find lucrative opportunities, emphasizing the importance of clinical expertise in driving higher salaries in Gastonia's healthcare settings.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,284 | $28.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,492 | $35.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,573 | $44.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,964 | $51.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,188 | $60.19 |
Median Salary Position
9.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,904 (2026 est.). At $92,573, the local median is 9.04% below the national median of $101,775.
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How Gastonia Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $92,573/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,581 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -9.04% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $92,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.04% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.70% above the North Carolina state average of $87,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $92,573 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,903 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,966
2025 BLS Actual
$89,021
2026 Current Est.
$92,573
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,203 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,912 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,532 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,217 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,021 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,267 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $71,966 (2019) to $89,021 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,267 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,301 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $60,284 – $73,492 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,492 – $92,573 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,573 – $107,964 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,964 – $125,188 |
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 Gastonia
Currently, there are 16 speech-language pathologists employed in Gastonia, suggesting a stable, albeit modest, job market in this area. The relatively low cost-of-living index of 93.6 means that the purchasing power associated with speech-language pathologist pay in Gastonia, NC, is fairly robust compared to higher-cost areas. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing homes, where specialists focusing on medical aspects, such as dysphagia treatment, often earn more. Disparities in compensation can arise from various factors, including the setting of employment—medical roles generally pay more than positions in schools or private practice—and the type of contract (e.g., school-year versus year-round). To maximize earnings in this market, SLPs can benefit from gaining board specialty certifications, exploring telepractice opportunities, and considering bilingual capabilities, which are increasingly valued in key client populations.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $89,021 for speech-language pathologistsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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