Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in North Charleston, SC: $104,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in North Charleston, SC earns a median $104,922/year (≈ $50.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $114,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.9% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in North Charleston, SC can expect to see a median annual salary of $104,922, representing a slight increase over the national median of $101,775. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $62,456 while experienced SLPs can command upwards of $143,424 annually. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations in North Charleston. The local market is getting increasingly competitive, which may provide opportunities for practitioners to supplement their income through telepractice. Additionally, with strong community demand for skilled SLPs, those willing to embrace flexible working arrangements could find substantial hourly compensation in the remote setting.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,456 | $30.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,516 | $41.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,922 | $50.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,567 | $58.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,424 | $68.96 |
Median Salary Position
3.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,968 (2026 est.). At $104,922, the local median is 3.09% above the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be above the median
How North Charleston Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $104,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $92,117 | +13.90% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +3.09% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $104,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.09% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 13.90% above the South Carolina state average of $92,117.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston 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.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $104,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,669 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,566
2025 BLS Actual
$100,896
2026 Current Est.
$104,922
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,566 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,968 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,504 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,051 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,508 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,896 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,108 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $81,566 (2019) to $100,896 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,542 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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) | $62,456 – $85,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,516 – $104,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,922 – $122,567 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,567 – $143,424 |
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 North Charleston
Examining the local job market, North Charleston employs approximately 22 speech-language pathologists, indicative of a tight-knit community within this specialty. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, salaries here stretch further than in many other urban areas, improving purchasing power for residents. Top-paying employers typically include hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs and specialized outpatient clinics, where SLPs focus on acute care needs. The disparity in speech-language pathologist pay in North Charleston often arises from the different working environments—medical settings generally offer higher pay compared to schools or private practices. To maximize earning potential, SLPs should consider pursuing certifications that can enhance their qualifications, engage in telepractice opportunities for flexible work, and capitalize on bilingual capabilities, which are highly sought after in this region.
More salary data for North Charleston, 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 $100,896 for speech-language pathologistsin the North Charleston 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 North Charleston 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