Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lima, OH: $84,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Lima, OH earns a median $84,034/year (≈ $40.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Lima's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $93,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.2% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Lima, OH, the projected salary for a speech-language pathologist stands at $84,034 in 2026, reflecting a noticeable discrepancy when compared to the national median of $101,775. Local salaries range from $61,406 at the 10th percentile to $108,098 at the 90th percentile, revealing a varied pay scale influenced by the distinct roles SLPs fulfill in educational versus healthcare settings. School-based speech-language pathologists typically have a different salary structure, including academic year contracts, while medical professionals who work year-round may command higher wages. This bifurcation highlights the complexities of the job market in Lima, where the structural divide between school and medical SLPs significantly shapes compensation trends in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,406 | $29.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,429 | $37.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,034 | $40.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,475 | $48.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,098 | $51.96 |
Median Salary Position
17.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,692 (2026 est.). At $84,034, the local median is 17.43% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lima Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Lima median: $84,034/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $95,711 | -12.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.43% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Lima, OH earn a median of $84,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.43% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 12.20% below the Ohio state average of $95,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 10.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.669 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $84,034 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,716 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,328
2025 BLS Actual
$80,810
2026 Current Est.
$84,034
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,328 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $65,328 (2019) to $80,810 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,059 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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) | $61,406 – $78,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,429 – $84,034 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,034 – $100,475 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,475 – $108,098 |
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 Lima
The local job market employs approximately 80 speech-language pathologists, which provides a solid foundation for career opportunities in Lima. However, with a cost-of-living index of 89.669, salaries may not stretch as far as they do in higher-cost areas, influencing take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Among the various employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings and outpatient pediatric clinics often offer the highest compensation, while school districts comprise a significant portion of job placements but tend to pay less. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the specific work setting, the nature of contracts, and potential stipends for specialty certifications. For those looking to maximize their speech-language pathologist pay in Lima, pursuing roles in medical establishments or taking on telepractice opportunities could yield better financial rewards, particularly as demand in this sector continues to grow.
More salary data for Lima, 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 $80,810 for speech-language pathologistsin the Lima 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, 5-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