Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in New Bern, NC: $85,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in New Bern, NC earns a median $85,918/year (≈ $41.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in New Bern's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $91,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bern, North Carolina, speech-language pathologists earn a median annual salary of $85,918. This projected figure for 2026 reflects a considerable demand in the local healthcare market, especially due to the growing emphasis on dysphagia and other medical speech-language pathologies, which often command a premium compared to school-based positions. The salary range for these professionals extends from $55,265 at the 10th percentile to $113,009 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost of living. Speech-language pathologist pay in New Bern NC can be competitive, particularly for those with specialized skills, making the market favorable for both current practitioners and upcoming graduates in the field.
About the New Bern Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,265 | $26.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,404 | $32.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,918 | $41.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,009 | $54.33 |
Median Salary Position
15.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bern
In New Bern, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,744 (2026 est.). At $85,918, the local median is 15.58% below the national median of $101,775.
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How New Bern Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
New Bern median: $85,918/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bern Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,582 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -15.58% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in New Bern, NC earn a median of $85,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.58% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $87,582.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bern 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.
New Bern, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,918 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,180
2025 BLS Actual
$82,621
2026 Current Est.
$85,918
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.1%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,268 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,621 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,346 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bern metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -14.1% from $96,180 (2019) to $82,621 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,346 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,834 (-7.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bern 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) | $55,265 – $67,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,404 – $85,918 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,918 – $98,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,680 – $113,009 |
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 New Bern
Currently, New Bern employs seven speech-language pathologists, indicating a robust local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, living expenses in New Bern are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries in the area. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to offer the highest wages, particularly for clinicians focused on medical settings. This variation in pay can be attributed to several factors, including practice setting—medical positions typically outperform school-based roles—and the differences between year-round and school-year contracts. Additionally, SLPs who obtain specialty certifications or work in bilingual environments may secure extra financial incentives. To maximize earnings in this competitive landscape, speech-language pathologists should consider opportunities in telepractice, which has surged in popularity since 2020 alongside traditional settings.
More salary data for New Bern, 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 $82,621 for speech-language pathologistsin the New Bern 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 New Bern 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