Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Austin, TX: $110,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Austin, TX earns a median $110,531/year (≈ $53.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $112,711 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected speech-language pathologist salary in Austin is set at $110,531 annually, which surpasses the national average of $101,775 by approximately 8.60%. Professionals in this field can expect a pay range from $80,197 at the 10th percentile to $131,287 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and illustrate a robust demand for SLPs, partly fueled by the growing adoption of telepractice, which offers a compelling 1099 side-income opportunity for clinicians. As the capital of Texas, Austin’s diverse healthcare landscape presents a dynamic job market where SLPs can thrive.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,197 | $38.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,064 | $49.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,531 | $53.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,287 | $63.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,287 | $63.12 |
Median Salary Position
8.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,090 (2026 est.). At $110,531, the local median is 8.6% above the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Austin median: $110,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $96,365 | +14.70% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +8.60% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Austin, TX earn a median of $110,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.60% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 14.70% above the Texas state average of $96,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $110,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,711 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,900
2025 BLS Actual
$106,290
2026 Current Est.
$110,531
2019–2027 Growth
+66.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,941 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 54.3% from $68,900 (2019) to $106,290 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,041 (66.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $80,197 – $103,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,064 – $110,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,531 – $131,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,287 – $131,287 |
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 Austin
Austin’s local workforce includes about 2,860 employed speech-language pathologists, indicating a strong presence in this profession. Despite the cost of living index at 98.066, which suggests it is more affordable than many urban centers, real purchasing power is essential for effective financial planning in daily life. Leading employers include school districts, which generally dictate the largest market share and represent roughly 55% of SLP positions. However, those seeking higher remuneration may find employment in hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings or telepractice agencies, where demand for specialized care remains high. Factors such as setting, contract duration, and board certification can greatly affect compensation levels. To maximize pay in the Austin market, pursuing bilingual certification and actively exploring diverse practice settings may prove advantageous in negotiating better salary packages.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $106,290 for speech-language pathologistsin the Austin 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