Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $90,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $90,800/year (≈ $43.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $97,009 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Winston-Salem, NC, is $90,800, indicating a competitive pay structure when compared to the national median of $101,775. The salary range for professionals in this field extends from $53,292 at the 10th percentile to $128,365 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, reflecting the unique economic conditions of Winston-Salem. Considering the rising demand for telepractice opportunities, many SLPs in the area may also seek 1099 work, which could provide enticing hourly rates between $25.62 and $61.72, enhancing their overall earnings potential. With these numbers in context, it seems there's a robust market for qualified speech-language pathologists in Winston-Salem.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,292 | $25.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,956 | $32.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,968 | $51.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,365 | $61.72 |
Median Salary Position
10.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,073 (2026 est.). At $90,800, the local median is 10.78% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be above the median
How Winston-Salem Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $90,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,645 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -10.78% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $90,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.78% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $87,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $90,800 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,009 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$70,588
2025 BLS Actual
$87,316
2026 Current Est.
$90,800
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,588 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,801 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,534 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,067 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,661 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,545 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,316 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,423 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $70,588 (2019) to $87,316 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,423 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,835 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $53,292 – $67,956 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,956 – $90,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,800 – $107,968 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,968 – $128,365 |
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 Winston-Salem
Looking deeper into the local job market, there are currently 59 speech-language pathologists working in Winston-Salem, suggesting a stable demand for SLP services. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, indicating that housing and general living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, which can positively influence effective take-home pay. Among the various employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the highest wages, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities. The variation in salaries is often a reflection of the work setting, with medical-based roles typically commanding higher wages compared to positions in school districts, which represent the largest segment of employment in the field. Strategies for maximizing earnings in Winston-Salem include pursuing specialty certifications, considering telepractice contracts, and being flexible in job settings while maintaining bilingual competencies, all of which can lead to enhanced pay opportunities and stability in a promising career.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?
Is Winston-Salem, NC a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Winston-Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Winston-Salem?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Winston-Salem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $87,316 for speech-language pathologistsin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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