Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Dayton, OH: $100,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Dayton, OH earns a median $100,787/year (≈ $48.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $108,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Dayton, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $100,787, a figure slightly below the national median of $101,775. The salary range for this profession in Dayton spans from $72,606 at the 10th percentile to $126,795 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization within the field. Notably, those specializing in dysphagia and other medical settings often command higher compensation, highlighting the premium on specific expertise in the local healthcare market. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate a growing demand for speech-language pathologists in areas like inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, helping to fuel competitive salaries across the board.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,606 | $34.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,253 | $40.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,787 | $48.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,867 | $52.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,795 | $60.96 |
Median Salary Position
0.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,189 (2026 est.). At $100,787, the local median is 0.97% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be above the median
How Dayton Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Dayton median: $100,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $95,714 | +5.30% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -0.97% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Dayton, OH earn a median of $100,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.97% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.30% above the Ohio state average of $95,714.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $100,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,731 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,900
2025 BLS Actual
$96,920
2026 Current Est.
$100,787
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 21.3% from $79,900 (2019) to $96,920 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,909 (31.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $72,606 – $84,253 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,253 – $100,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,787 – $108,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,867 – $126,795 |
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 Dayton
With approximately 490 speech-language pathologists currently employed in Dayton, the local job market presents a mixed picture influenced by the cost of living index, which stands at 92.694—indicating a cost of living that is below the national average. This context means that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power afforded to these professionals can be more substantial than in higher-cost regions. Among the employers, hospital inpatient rehab facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer the highest pay, while school districts—encompassing elementary, middle, and high schools—employ a significant portion of the workforce, approximately 55%. Factors affecting salary diversity in Dayton include contract types, skill sets like bilingual proficiency, and certifications such as board specialty status, which often come with stipends. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, considering positions in medical settings or exploring telepractice options could prove beneficial, especially as this field continues to expand post-2020.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
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 $96,920 for speech-language pathologistsin the Dayton 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