Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Virginia: $98,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $98,644/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,585 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Norfolk ($99,330), Alexandria ($99,116), Chesapeake ($98,250).
In Virginia, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists is projected to be $98,644 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $101,775, representing a difference of -3.1%. The highest paying city in Virginia is Norfolk, with an average salary of $103,293, while the lowest is Harrisonburg at $82,901, creating a salary gap of $20,392. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for services, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in larger metropolitan areas. Virginia has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that align with national standards, which may influence salary levels. The job market for speech-language pathologists is expected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 3.99%, suggesting a steady demand for professionals in the field. The top cities with projected salaries include Norfolk, $103,293; Alexandria, $103,071; Chesapeake, $102,170; Virginia Beach, $101,775; and Richmond, $99,914. Overall, Virginia offers a solid framework for speech-language pathologists, with diverse opportunities depending on location and specific market conditions.
Virginia Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $57,457 (lowest entry-level) to $150,482 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia speech-language pathologists earn 3.08% less than the national median ($-3,131/year difference).
Virginia Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Virginia range from $67,333 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $132,209 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $98,644. The Virginia median is $3,131 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $47.42/hr. Approximately 2,820 speech-language pathologists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$81,609
2025 BLS Actual
$94,859
2026 Current Est.
$98,644
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,609 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,357 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,007 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,838 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,809 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,580 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 16.2% from $81,609 (2019) to $94,859 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,580 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,971 (25.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Harrisonburg | $82,901 |
| Bristol | $83,978 |
| Staunton | $85,563 |
| Blacksburg | $89,192 |
| Falls Church | $89,567 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | $97,137 | 89.363 | $108,699 |
| Virginia Beach | $101,775 | 97.941 | $103,915 |
| Winchester | $99,872 | 96.45 | $103,548 |
| Richmond | $99,914 | 97.858 | $102,101 |
| Roanoke | $95,213 | 93.618 | $101,704 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $67,333 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $98,644 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $132,209 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norfolk | $103,293 |
| 2 | Alexandria | $103,071 |
| 3 | Chesapeake | $102,170 |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $101,775 |
| 5 | Richmond | $99,914 |
| 6 | Winchester | $99,872 |
| 7 | Charlottesville | $98,583 |
| 8 | Newport News | $97,893 |
| 9 | Lynchburg | $97,137 |
| 10 | Hampton | $97,029 |
| 11 | Centreville | $96,578 |
| 12 | Burke | $95,922 |
| 13 | Suffolk | $95,508 |
| 14 | Tuckahoe | $95,237 |
| 15 | Roanoke | $95,213 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $95,100 |
| 17 | McLean | $95,094 |
| 18 | Reston | $94,993 |
| 19 | Danville | $94,973 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $94,566 |
| 21 | Dale City | $94,547 |
| 22 | Manassas | $94,446 |
| 23 | Salem | $94,182 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $94,046 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $93,992 |
| 26 | Mechanicsville | $93,843 |
| 27 | Springfield | $93,511 |
| 28 | Woodbridge | $93,382 |
| 29 | Sterling | $93,202 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $93,081 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $92,975 |
| 32 | Fairfax | $92,737 |
| 33 | Waynesboro | $92,284 |
| 34 | Annandale | $92,161 |
| 35 | Williamsburg | $91,984 |
| 36 | Herndon | $90,991 |
| 37 | Radford | $90,751 |
| 38 | Falls Church | $89,567 |
| 39 | Blacksburg | $89,192 |
| 40 | Staunton | $85,563 |
| 41 | Bristol | $83,978 |
| 42 | Harrisonburg | $82,901 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Virginia?
How does Virginia speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Virginia?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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