Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Wilson, NC: $83,988 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Wilson, NC earns a median $83,988/year (≈ $40.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Wilson's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $89,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected median annual salary of $83,988 for speech-language pathologists in Wilson, North Carolina, professionals in this area may find opportunities particularly lucrative if they specialize in dysphagia and other medical settings. The salary range spans from $57,803 at the 10th percentile to $111,735 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variation in earnings based on specific roles and settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for local economic conditions. Given Wilson’s healthcare landscape and the rising demand for specialized SLP services, professionals can expect a competitive job market, especially in medical and rehabilitation settings where salaries tend to be higher than those within school districts.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,803 | $27.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,681 | $33.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,988 | $40.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,298 | $47.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,735 | $53.72 |
Median Salary Position
17.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilson
In Wilson, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,932 (2026 est.). At $83,988, the local median is 17.48% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilson Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Wilson median: $83,988/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,578 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.48% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Wilson, NC earn a median of $83,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.48% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $87,578.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilson 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.
Wilson, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $83,988 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,731 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,292
2025 BLS Actual
$80,765
2026 Current Est.
$83,988
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,292 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,435 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,765 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,988 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,339 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilson metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $65,292 (2019) to $80,765 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,339 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,047 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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) | $57,803 – $68,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,681 – $83,988 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,988 – $99,298 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,298 – $111,735 |
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 Wilson
The strength of Wilson's job market can be seen in the employment of seven speech-language pathologists, a number that reflects a niche but growing field. The local cost of living index at 93.6 indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power in Wilson is favorable for professionals. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric outpatient clinics typically offer higher pay relative to school districts. Factors driving the salary variations include the setting of employment—medical SLPs often earn more than those in school environments—along with contract types and additional certifications. For those looking to maximize their earnings in the Wilson market, targeting a blend of medical and telepractice opportunities, especially for bilingual positions, could provide significant advantages in a competitive job landscape.
More salary data for Wilson, 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 $80,765 for speech-language pathologistsin the Wilson 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 Wilson 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