Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $97,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $97,480/year (≈ $46.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $106,577 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the compensation for speech-language pathologists reflects the specialized demands of the field, particularly in settings that address dysphagia and other medical needs. The median annual salary is projected to reach $97,480 in 2026, which represents a slight decline relative to the national median of $101,775. Salary ranges for this profession vary significantly, with entry-level positions commencing at $63,299 and established professionals earning up to $128,012. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate a strong market presence, particularly highlighting the value of medical specialty skills in terms of financial return in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,299 | $30.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,986 | $39.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,480 | $46.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,051 | $53.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,012 | $61.55 |
Median Salary Position
4.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,713 (2026 est.). At $97,480, the local median is 4.22% below the national median of $101,775.
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How Chattanooga Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $97,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,189 | +13.10% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -4.22% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $97,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.22% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 13.10% above the Tennessee state average of $86,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $97,480 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,577 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,770
2025 BLS Actual
$93,740
2026 Current Est.
$97,480
2019–2027 Growth
+15.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 6.8% from $87,770 (2019) to $93,740 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,600 (15.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $63,299 – $81,986 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,986 – $97,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,480 – $111,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,051 – $128,012 |
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 Chattanooga
The local labor market showcases approximately 330 employed speech-language pathologists in the Chattanooga area, providing a competitive environment for job seekers. With a cost of living index of 91.464, living in Chattanooga tends to stretch earnings further than the national average. Given this context, the highest-paying opportunities are typically found in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, where specialized medical training is valued most. Factors such as the variability in pay due to the school-year contract system, the advantage of bilingual certification, and the different pay structures for telepractice arrangements further influence overall compensation. To maximize pay in Chattanooga, professionals should consider seeking positions that value specialty credentials, negotiating for board specialty stipends, and exploring telepractice options that have become increasingly prevalent since the pandemic. Understanding the nuances of various employment settings can significantly impact how much speech-language pathologists make in Chattanooga, TN.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 $93,740 for speech-language pathologistsin the Chattanooga 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, 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