Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in South Carolina: $95,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $95,293/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $104,145 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($100,896), Charleston ($98,790), Florence ($96,390).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is projected to be $95,293, which is about 6.4% lower than the national median of $101,775. There is a significant salary disparity between cities, with North Charleston offering the highest average at $104,922, compared to Clemson’s lowest at $84,854. This variance is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for services, and availability of positions in each area. State licensing requirements for speech-language pathologists are standardized, but scope of practice laws can vary, impacting job roles and responsibilities. Demand for services is driven by the prevalence of communication disorders across various age groups, as well as a growing awareness of the importance of early intervention. The job market for speech-language pathologists in South Carolina is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%, indicating stability and opportunities for those entering the field. Major cities contributing to job availability include North Charleston, Charleston, Florence, Spartanburg, and Greer, with salaries reflecting regional economic conditions and population needs. As you plan your career in this field, consider the local factors influencing both employment opportunities and compensation.
South Carolina Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $51,974 (lowest entry-level) to $143,424 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina speech-language pathologists earn 6.37% less than the national median ($-6,482/year difference).
South Carolina Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in South Carolina range from $59,387 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,768 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $95,293. The South Carolina median is $6,482 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $45.81/hr. Approximately 1,759 speech-language pathologists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,401
2025 BLS Actual
$91,637
2026 Current Est.
$95,293
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,208 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,683 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,535 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,876 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,095 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 24.8% from $73,401 (2019) to $91,637 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,095 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,694 (35.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $100,236 | 86.774 | $115,514 |
| North Charleston | $104,922 | 91.5 | $114,669 |
| Spartanburg | $100,174 | 91.051 | $110,020 |
| Greer | $94,368 | 91.5 | $103,134 |
| Anderson | $94,272 | 91.5 | $103,030 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,387 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $95,293 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $124,768 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $104,922 |
| 2 | Charleston | $102,732 |
| 3 | Florence | $100,236 |
| 4 | Spartanburg | $100,174 |
| 5 | Greer | $94,368 |
| 6 | Anderson | $94,272 |
| 7 | Mount Pleasant | $93,497 |
| 8 | Greenville | $92,146 |
| 9 | Rock Hill | $91,775 |
| 10 | Hilton Head Island | $91,574 |
| 11 | Aiken | $91,373 |
| 12 | Columbia | $91,324 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $91,244 |
| 14 | Mauldin | $90,707 |
| 15 | Summerville | $90,221 |
| 16 | Bluffton | $89,834 |
| 17 | Myrtle Beach | $89,348 |
| 18 | Simpsonville | $88,734 |
| 19 | Fort Mill | $88,692 |
| 20 | Goose Creek | $88,484 |
| 21 | Sumter | $87,754 |
| 22 | Conway | $87,701 |
| 23 | Lexington | $87,037 |
| 24 | Easley | $85,484 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $85,013 |
| 26 | Clemson | $84,854 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in South Carolina?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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