Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Killeen, TX: $93,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Killeen, TX earns a median $93,913/year (≈ $45.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $103,052 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Killeen, TX, speech-language pathologists can expect a median annual salary of $93,913 in 2026, reflecting a notable demand for specialists, particularly those with expertise in dysphagia and other medical areas. This income range spans from $64,869 at the lower end to as much as $130,372 for the top earners, highlighting the disparities often found in this profession. Such figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, and while the local pay is slightly below the national median of $101,775, the job market in Killeen indicates solid employment opportunities in various settings, including hospitals and schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,869 | $31.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,285 | $37.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,913 | $45.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,661 | $54.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,372 | $62.67 |
Median Salary Position
7.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,503 (2026 est.). At $93,913, the local median is 7.72% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Killeen Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Killeen median: $93,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $96,420 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -7.72% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Killeen, TX earn a median of $93,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.60% below the Texas state average of $96,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $93,913 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,052 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,900
2025 BLS Actual
$90,310
2026 Current Est.
$93,913
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,661 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 43.6% from $62,900 (2019) to $90,310 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,761 (55.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $64,869 – $77,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,285 – $93,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,913 – $113,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,661 – $130,372 |
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 Killeen
With approximately 270 speech-language pathologists employed in Killeen, the local job market holds considerable potential, especially given the cost of living index of 91.132, which is lower than the national average. This lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power for SLPs in the area. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient pediatric clinics typically offer the highest salaries. Factors influencing the pay range include the work setting—medical positions generally pay better than those in schools—and specialized skills, such as bilingual capabilities. To maximize salary in Killeen’s job market, SLPs should consider pursuing board certification and exploring telepractice opportunities, which have seen significant growth post-2020. Such strategies can effectively increase compensation and career advancement in this evolving field.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 $90,310 for speech-language pathologistsin the Killeen 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