Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Matthews, NC: $86,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Matthews, NC earns a median $86,605/year (≈ $41.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $92,527 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected salaries for speech-language pathologists in Matthews, North Carolina, show a median annual salary of $86,605 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,775. The local salary range spans from $56,496 at the 10th percentile to $112,206 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse job opportunities and compensation packages available in the area. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, including the regional cost of living. Given the area's cost of living index of 93.6, this presents an attractive picture for those entering the field in Matthews, indicating a potential for competitive compensation amidst a growing demand for services.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,496 | $27.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,796 | $33.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,605 | $41.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,430 | $47.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,206 | $53.95 |
Median Salary Position
14.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,710 (2026 est.). At $86,605, the local median is 14.91% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be above the median
How Matthews Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Matthews median: $86,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,568 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -14.91% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Matthews, NC earn a median of $86,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.91% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $87,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $86,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,527 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,327
2025 BLS Actual
$83,282
2026 Current Est.
$86,605
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,327 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,599 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,981 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,060 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $67,327 (2019) to $83,282 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,060 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,733 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $56,496 – $68,796 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,796 – $86,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,605 – $98,430 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,430 – $112,206 |
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 Matthews
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Matthews is relatively modest, with only eight practitioners currently employed in the region. This tight labor pool reveals a strong competition among employers, especially in settings such as hospitals, outpatient pediatric clinics, and telepractice agencies, which tend to offer higher salaries. Since school districts employ about 55% of SLPs, these organizations play a significant role in determining local pay structures. The variation in compensation can be attributed to factors such as the type of work setting, with medical roles typically yielding higher salaries compared to those in educational settings. Additionally, pursuing board certification may enhance earning potential, alongside opportunities in bilingual services. For those looking to maximize their pay, focusing on diverse roles, prioritizing experience in high-demand settings, and considering telepractice options may provide viable paths in Matthews's evolving job market.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 $83,282 for speech-language pathologistsin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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