Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Aiken, SC: $91,373 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Aiken, SC earns a median $91,373/year (≈ $43.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $99,861 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, the projected salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is set at $91,373, which trails behind the national median of $101,775 by about 10.22%. Salary figures for this profession in the area range from $60,474 at the 10th percentile to $122,184 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse pay scale within this field. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the unique practice environments in Aiken, particularly the notable divide between SLPs working in school settings versus those employed in medical facilities. Such differences impact salary trajectories and employment opportunities, revealing a competitive job market for SLPs specializing in different areas.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,474 | $29.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,373 | $43.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,164 | $51.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,184 | $58.74 |
Median Salary Position
10.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,710 (2026 est.). At $91,373, the local median is 10.22% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be above the median
How Aiken Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Aiken median: $91,373/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $92,110 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -10.22% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Aiken, SC earn a median of $91,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.22% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $92,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $91,373 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,861 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,033
2025 BLS Actual
$87,867
2026 Current Est.
$91,373
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,033 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,254 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,373 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $71,033 (2019) to $87,867 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,986 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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) | $60,474 – $72,940 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,940 – $91,373 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,373 – $106,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,164 – $122,184 |
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 Aiken
Analyzing the job market reveals that there are currently four speech-language pathologists employed in Aiken, SC, which demonstrates a limited yet specialized workforce. Additionally, with a cost-of-living index of 91.5, professionals might find that their overall purchasing power is higher than in many other areas. Among local employers, school districts often provide lower pay compared to rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, which typically compensate SLPs at more competitive rates due to the increased complexity of medical cases, such as dysphagia management. Factors that influence the salary difference include contractual terms—year-round positions in medical settings tend to offer more stability and higher pay—a bilingual premium, and opportunities for specialty certifications. Strategizing for optimal pay in Aiken, SLPs may benefit from pursuing positions in medical rehab facilities, considering telepractice arrangements, or enhancing credentials with specialties recognized by ASHA.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
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 $87,867 for speech-language pathologistsin the Aiken 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 Aiken 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