Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Winston, NC: $89,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Winston, NC earns a median $89,317/year (≈ $42.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $97,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, the projected salary for speech-language pathologists stands at $89,317 for 2026. This figure reflects the local compensation landscape and underscores the disparity between those employed in schools versus medical settings. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, spanning from $65,087 at the 10th percentile to $128,313 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this insight into salary dynamics is particularly relevant in a region where school-based SLPs often operate on a calendar-year contract, while medical SLPs might enjoy year-round positions with potentially higher earning capacity. Understanding these differences is essential for prospective SLPs in Winston NC when evaluating their career options and making strategic decisions regarding employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,087 | $31.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,774 | $34.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,317 | $42.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,625 | $53.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,313 | $61.69 |
Median Salary Position
12.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,226 (2026 est.). At $89,317, the local median is 12.24% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Winston median: $89,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,652 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -12.24% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Winston, NC earn a median of $89,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.24% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.90% above the North Carolina state average of $87,652.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $89,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,038 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,960
2025 BLS Actual
$85,890
2026 Current Est.
$89,317
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,881 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 28.3% from $66,960 (2019) to $85,890 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,881 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,921 (38.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $65,087 – $71,774 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,774 – $89,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,317 – $110,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,625 – $128,313 |
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
Winston's job market currently supports approximately 340 speech-language pathologists, indicating a stable demand for professionals in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 92.043, the living expenses in Winston are lower than the national average, which can positively influence take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital systems and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation compared to school districts, which employ the majority of SLPs yet typically provide less competitive salaries. Factors such as setting, contract type, board specialization stipends, and bilingual capabilities can create significant salary variations. For those seeking to maximize their speech-language pathologist pay in Winston NC, targeting medical rehabilitation centers, pursuing roles that offer telepractice flexibility, and acquiring additional certifications can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $85,890 for speech-language pathologistsin the Winston 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, 7-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