Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $98,583 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $98,583/year (≈ $47.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $99,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $98,583 for speech-language pathologists in Charlottesville, VA, the compensation package reflects the area's unique employment landscape. The salary range spans from $66,918 at the 10th percentile to $130,955 at the 90th percentile, as reported in the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data. This data captures the division between school-based and medical professionals, where those employed in educational institutions traditionally earn less compared to their counterparts in medical settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. The structural differences in contracts, especially between year-round positions and school-year agreements, are key components in understanding the overall pay dynamics for speech-language pathologists in this city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,918 | $32.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,415 | $38.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,583 | $47.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,084 | $58.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,955 | $62.97 |
Median Salary Position
3.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,037 (2026 est.). At $98,583, the local median is 3.14% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $98,583/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $97,126 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -3.14% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $98,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.50% above the Virginia state average of $97,126.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $98,583 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,432 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,940
2025 BLS Actual
$94,800
2026 Current Est.
$98,583
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,583 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 21.6% from $77,940 (2019) to $94,800 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,576 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $66,918 – $80,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,415 – $98,583 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,583 – $122,084 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,084 – $130,955 |
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 Charlottesville
The employment market for speech-language pathologists in Charlottesville is robust, with 140 professionals actively working in the region. However, while the median salary may seem appealing, it's essential to consider the cost of living, with a cost-of-living index sitting at 99.146, indicating that expenses are slightly below the national average. Higher-paying opportunities often arise within hospital settings, outpatient facilities, and specialized programs, though school districts still employ a significant majority of SLPs. Factors influencing wage disparities include practice setting, seasonal contracts, board certifications, and demand for bilingual SLPs. For those aiming to maximize their income in Charlottesville, seeking positions in medically-focused environments and obtaining relevant certifications and specialized skills will likely enhance their earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Charlottesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Charlottesville?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Charlottesville?
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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 $94,800 for speech-language pathologistsin the Charlottesville 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