Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Johnson City, TN: $85,324 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Johnson City, TN earns a median $85,324/year (≈ $41.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $97,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for a speech-language pathologist salary in Johnson City is projected to reach $85,324. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $101,775, reflecting a salary range between $58,359 at the 10th percentile and up to $123,072 at the 90th percentile. Such disparities highlight the structural divide within the profession, particularly between school and medical roles. School-based positions, which comprise approximately 55% of employment for SLPs, often offer less favorable salaries compared to medical environments such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. The data presented here is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, specifically projections made based on 2025 BLS data.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,359 | $28.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,652 | $30.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,324 | $41.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,545 | $57.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,072 | $59.17 |
Median Salary Position
16.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,713 (2026 est.). At $85,324, the local median is 16.16% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $85,324/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,186 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.16% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $85,324 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.16% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.00% below the Tennessee state average of $86,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,324 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,038 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,160
2025 BLS Actual
$82,050
2026 Current Est.
$85,324
2019–2027 Growth
+6.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,324 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,728 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -1.3% from $83,160 (2019) to $82,050 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,728 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,568 (6.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $58,359 – $63,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,652 – $85,324 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,324 – $120,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,545 – $123,072 |
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 Johnson City
Considering the local job market, there are currently 140 speech-language pathologists employed in Johnson City, TN. With a cost-of-living index of 87.928, the financial landscape offers a somewhat more favorable take-home purchasing power than many other U.S. cities. Factors contributing to salary variation include the setting of employment—medical positions typically command higher wages than those in schools or private practice—and different contract structures, with year-round contracts generally leading to better pay. Notably, employers such as outpatient pediatric clinics and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals may offer the highest salaries, particularly for SLPs certified in board specialties. For those looking to optimize their pay in this market, exploring opportunities in telepractice, which surged in demand post-2020, or obtaining bilingual qualifications could prove beneficial.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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 $82,050 for speech-language pathologistsin the Johnson City 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