Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Blacksburg, VA: $89,192 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Blacksburg, VA earns a median $89,192/year (≈ $42.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Blacksburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $96,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Blacksburg, Virginia, reaches $89,192, which falls below the national median of $101,775. This discrepancy can be partially attributed to the structural divide in practice settings, particularly between school-based and medical speech-language pathologists. The full salary spectrum ranges from $62,696 at the 10th percentile to $123,810 at the 90th percentile, signifying a diverse range of earning potential within the profession. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys emphasizes that those working in educational settings, comprising around 55% of SLPs, typically secure lower salaries than their counterparts in medical environments. Nevertheless, the growing demand for SLP services, particularly in the expanding field of telepractice, highlights a vibrant job market in Blacksburg.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,696 | $30.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,217 | $32.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,192 | $42.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,431 | $55.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,810 | $59.52 |
Median Salary Position
12.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blacksburg
In Blacksburg, VA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,114 (2026 est.). At $89,192, the local median is 12.36% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blacksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blacksburg Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Blacksburg median: $89,192/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blacksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $97,159 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -12.36% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $89,192 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.36% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 8.20% below the Virginia state average of $97,159.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blacksburg has a cost of living 7.29% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blacksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $89,192 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,410
2025 BLS Actual
$85,770
2026 Current Est.
$89,192
2019–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Blacksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,192 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,751 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blacksburg metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 8.0% from $79,410 (2019) to $85,770 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,751 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,341 (16.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blacksburg 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) | $62,696 – $68,217 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,217 – $89,192 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,192 – $114,431 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,431 – $123,810 |
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 Blacksburg
Currently, there are about 60 employed speech-language pathologists in this region, which indicates a relatively small yet supportive professional community. With a cost-of-living index at 92.71, residents will find their purchasing power is somewhat favorable compared to national averages. Among the highest-paying opportunities in Blacksburg, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities often provide competitive wages, especially for SLPs specializing in dysphagia. The variation between salaries can often be dictated by the specific setting, with medical positions often paying more than those in school districts. Factors such as the type of contract—year-round versus school-year—and additional stipends for certifications or bilingual capabilities can significantly influence overall compensation. For those looking to optimize their earnings in this market, pursuing roles in telepractice or private practice, along with seeking specialty certifications, may lead to better pay and professional growth opportunities.
More salary data for Blacksburg, VA:
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 $85,770 for speech-language pathologistsin the Blacksburg 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