Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Houston, TX: $104,406 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Houston, TX earns a median $104,406/year (≈ $50.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $105,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Houston, TX, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $104,406, which is slightly above the national median of $101,775. Salaries in this field exhibit a range that spans from $72,429 at the lower end to $140,990 for those in the highest positions. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the structural divide between school and medical settings that impacts SLP compensation. School-based positions, which represent a significant portion of the market, often operate on academic year contracts, contrasting with the year-round contracts typically found in medical settings. As such, professionals may choose to specialize based on their preferred work structure and compensation expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,429 | $34.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,994 | $39.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,406 | $50.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,589 | $60.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,990 | $67.78 |
Median Salary Position
2.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,561 (2026 est.). At $104,406, the local median is 2.59% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Houston median: $104,406/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $96,404 | +8.30% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +2.59% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Houston, TX earn a median of $104,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.59% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 8.30% above the Texas state average of $96,404.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $104,406 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,857 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,900
2025 BLS Actual
$100,400
2026 Current Est.
$104,406
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,406 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 43.6% from $69,900 (2019) to $100,400 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,672 (55.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $72,429 – $82,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,994 – $104,406 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,406 – $125,589 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,589 – $140,990 |
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 Houston
In Houston's job market, approximately 3,780 speech-language pathologists are currently employed, reflecting a strong demand for their services. The cost of living index at 98.629 indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for SLPs in the region. Those seeking higher pay might find opportunities in hospital settings, skilled nursing facilities, and certain outpatient clinics, where salaries tend to be more competitive compared to school districts. Factors influencing this pay structure include the demand for specialized skills in dysphagia, board specialty certification stipends, and the flexibility of telepractice roles. To maximize compensation in Houston, SLPs should consider gaining specialized certifications, seeking employment in high-demand medical environments, and exploring opportunities in bilingual services, which are increasingly valued across settings in the city.
More salary data for Houston, 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 $100,400 for speech-language pathologistsin the Houston 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