Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lubbock, TX: $82,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Lubbock, TX earns a median $82,745/year (≈ $39.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Lubbock's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $90,613 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.2% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lubbock, Texas, the average salary for a speech-language pathologist is projected to reach $82,745 in 2026, reflecting a growing emphasis on dysphagia and other medical specialties within this field. This represents a notable opportunity compared to the salary range, which spans from $64,931 at the 10th percentile to $134,646 at the 90th percentile. The salary figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which indicates that Lubbock's compensation for speech-language pathologists is approximately 18.70% lower than the national median of $101,775. As the demand for skilled professionals in both educational and healthcare settings increases in this distinct market, individuals specializing in medical settings often find more lucrative positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,931 | $31.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,278 | $33.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,745 | $39.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,579 | $51.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,646 | $64.73 |
Median Salary Position
18.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lubbock
In Lubbock, TX, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,715 (2026 est.). At $82,745, the local median is 18.7% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lubbock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lubbock Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Lubbock median: $82,745/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lubbock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $96,439 | -14.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.70% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Lubbock, TX earn a median of $82,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.70% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 14.20% below the Texas state average of $96,439.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lubbock has a cost of living 8.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lubbock, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.317 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,745 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,613 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.51% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$81,320
2025 BLS Actual
$79,570
2026 Current Est.
$82,745
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lubbock metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -2.2% from $81,320 (2019) to $79,570 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,726 (5.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lubbock 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) | $64,931 – $69,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,278 – $82,745 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,745 – $106,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,579 – $134,646 |
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 Lubbock
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Lubbock remains robust, with around 260 clinicians employed in the area. The cost of living index in Lubbock stands at 91.317, which suggests that take-home purchasing power is relatively favorable compared to many other regions. Among local employers, inpatient rehab facilities and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher salaries, influenced by the increasing demand for specialized services. Factors such as setting, contract type, and certifications can significantly affect pay, where medical SLPs might see better compensation compared to those in school districts. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional certifications, exploring year-round contracts, and participating in telepractice can yield significant benefits as the profession evolves in the local landscape.
More salary data for Lubbock, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Lubbock, TX in 2026?
Is Lubbock, TX a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Lubbock?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Lubbock?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Lubbock?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $79,570 for speech-language pathologistsin the Lubbock 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