Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Tennessee: $87,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $87,621/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,448 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chattanooga ($93,740), Clarksville ($93,370), Memphis ($86,120).
Salaries for speech-language pathologists in Tennessee are projected to average $87,621 in 2026, which is approximately 13.9% lower than the national median of $101,775. Chattanooga leads the state with the highest salary at $97,480, while Cleveland offers the lowest at $70,547, creating a salary disparity of $26,933. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and local healthcare infrastructure, with urban areas generally offering higher pay due to greater demand for qualified professionals. In terms of licensing, Tennessee requires speech-language pathologists to hold a master's degree, complete a supervised clinical fellowship, and obtain the necessary state licensure. The scope of practice laws in Tennessee also support a broad range of services, which can drive demand as the population ages and speech and language disorders become more prevalent. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, the job market for speech-language pathologists in Tennessee appears stable, providing numerous opportunities across various metropolitan areas. The total number employed is set to reach 3,022, reflecting the ongoing need for expertise in communication disorders in diverse settings from schools to healthcare facilities.
Tennessee Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $43,218 (lowest entry-level) to $128,012 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee speech-language pathologists earn 13.91% less than the national median ($-14,154/year difference).
Tennessee Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Tennessee range from $60,445 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $118,430 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,621. The Tennessee median is $14,154 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $42.13/hr. Approximately 3,022 speech-language pathologists are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,643
2025 BLS Actual
$84,259
2026 Current Est.
$87,621
2019–2027 Growth
+20.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,091 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,581 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,743 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,259 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,117 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 11.4% from $75,643 (2019) to $84,259 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,117 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,474 (20.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cleveland | $70,547 |
| Tullahoma | $79,666 |
| Knoxville | $81,175 |
| Sevierville | $81,403 |
| Maryville | $81,873 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | $97,095 | 90.947 | $106,760 |
| Chattanooga | $97,480 | 91.464 | $106,577 |
| Morristown | $89,171 | 86.364 | $103,250 |
| Jackson | $85,272 | 85.522 | $99,708 |
| Memphis | $89,556 | 92.179 | $97,154 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,445 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,621 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $118,430 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattanooga | $97,480 |
| 2 | Clarksville | $97,095 |
| 3 | Memphis | $89,556 |
| 4 | Morristown | $89,171 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $87,154 |
| 6 | Nashville | $87,123 |
| 7 | Bartlett | $86,716 |
| 8 | Collierville | $86,416 |
| 9 | Franklin | $86,074 |
| 10 | Spring Hill | $85,753 |
| 11 | Murfreesboro | $85,579 |
| 12 | Johnson City | $85,324 |
| 13 | Jackson | $85,272 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $84,603 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge | $84,597 |
| 16 | Columbia | $84,028 |
| 17 | Germantown | $83,921 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $83,753 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $83,607 |
| 20 | Brentwood | $83,171 |
| 21 | Shelbyville | $82,525 |
| 22 | Mount Juliet | $82,522 |
| 23 | La Vergne | $82,349 |
| 24 | Kingsport | $82,090 |
| 25 | Cookeville | $81,927 |
| 26 | Maryville | $81,873 |
| 27 | Sevierville | $81,403 |
| 28 | Knoxville | $81,175 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $79,666 |
| 30 | Cleveland | $70,547 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Tennessee 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 Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Tennessee?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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