Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $82,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $82,402/year (≈ $39.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $93,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pinehurst, North Carolina, the upcoming year brings a projected median annual salary of $82,402 for speech-language pathologists, a figure that places them approximately 19% below the national median of $101,775. This region’s compensation range is notable, with salaries stretching from $60,179 at the 10th percentile to as high as $124,424 for those at the 90th percentile. Such data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflects a distinct division in employment settings for SLPs, primarily between school districts and healthcare facilities. The landscape for SLP employment in Pinehurst is influenced by year-round contracts versus those limited to the school year, which can impact income stability and growth potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,179 | $28.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,379 | $31.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,402 | $39.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,174 | $48.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,424 | $59.83 |
Median Salary Position
19.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,245 (2026 est.). At $82,402, the local median is 19.04% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pinehurst Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $82,402/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,568 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -19.04% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $82,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.04% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.90% below the North Carolina state average of $87,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst has a cost of living 11.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.336 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,402 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,059
2025 BLS Actual
$79,240
2026 Current Est.
$82,402
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,059 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,124 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,059 (2019) to $79,240 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,631 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $60,179 – $65,379 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,379 – $82,402 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,402 – $100,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,174 – $124,424 |
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 Pinehurst
The local job market currently employs around 90 speech-language pathologists, suggesting a robust demand for these professionals in Pinehurst. With a cost-of-living index of 88.336, SLPs in this area may find their purchasing power affected, leading to a different economic reality than one would experience in higher-cost regions. Hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient pediatric clinics generally offer the highest pay, followed by skilled nursing facilities, while school districts often present lower salary opportunities. Variance in compensation can stem from factors such as contractual settings, opportunities for board specialty certifications, and the growing prevalence of telepractice since 2020. For those looking to maximize pay in Pinehurst, targeting high-demand medical facilities, pursuing additional certifications, and exploring telepractice positions could prove beneficial in navigating the salary landscape within this specific market.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 $79,240 for speech-language pathologistsin the Pinehurst 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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