Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Clarksville, TN: $97,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Clarksville, TN earns a median $97,095/year (≈ $46.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $106,760 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for speech-language pathologists in Clarksville, TN is approximately $97,095, reflecting a competitive position relative to the national median of $101,775. The salary range for this profession spans from $59,815 at the 10th percentile to $111,030 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earnings bracket that can significantly vary based on experience, setting, and credentials. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that many speech-language pathologists in the area may choose between employment in school districts or medical settings, each offering distinct contract terms and salary structures. This division creates a vibrant job market for prospective clinicians, yet their earning potential will depend heavily on their chosen specialty and the type of employment contract they negotiate.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,815 | $28.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,686 | $35.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,095 | $46.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,505 | $51.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,030 | $53.38 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,215 (2026 est.). At $97,095, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be above the median
How Clarksville Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $97,095/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,230 | +12.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -4.60% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $97,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 12.60% above the Tennessee state average of $86,230.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 90.947 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $97,095 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,760 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,482
2025 BLS Actual
$93,370
2026 Current Est.
$97,095
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,482 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $75,482 (2019) to $93,370 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,488 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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) | $59,815 – $74,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,686 – $97,095 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,095 – $107,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,505 – $111,030 |
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 Clarksville
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Clarksville is sound, with around 170 professionals currently employed in the area. Given the cost of living index stands at 90.947—indicating that living expenses are below the national average—this may enhance the effective purchasing power of SLPs even with the slightly lower salary compared to the national figure. In terms of compensation, medical facilities, particularly hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, generally offer higher salaries than school settings, which primarily focus on a nine-month academic calendar. Furthermore, those in private practice or telepractice may encounter greater variation in pay, influenced by factors such as hourly rates and specialty certifications. For SLPs looking to maximize their earnings in Clarksville, pursuing certification in bilingual speech therapy or board specialties could provide a beneficial financial edge in this evolving market.
More salary data for Clarksville, 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 $93,370 for speech-language pathologistsin the Clarksville 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, 5-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