Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Harrisonburg, VA: $82,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Harrisonburg, VA earns a median $82,901/year (≈ $39.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Harrisonburg's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.9), that paycheck buys what $87,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Harrisonburg, VA, professionals in speech-language pathology can expect a median annual salary of $82,901 in 2026, notably lower than the national median of $101,775. The projected salary range for this role spans from $63,351 at the 10th percentile to $139,180 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the opportunities within the local market, especially for those specializing in dysphagia and medical settings, which tend to command a premium. Given that school districts employ a significant portion of local SLPs, those with expertise in medical dysphagia can further enhance their earning potential and meet the growing demands in this niche area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,351 | $30.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,373 | $32.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,901 | $39.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,184 | $53.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,180 | $66.91 |
Median Salary Position
18.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisonburg
In Harrisonburg, VA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,829 (2026 est.). At $82,901, the local median is 18.54% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisonburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harrisonburg Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Harrisonburg median: $82,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisonburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $97,187 | -14.70% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.54% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Harrisonburg, VA earn a median of $82,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.54% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 14.70% below the Virginia state average of $97,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisonburg has a cost of living 5.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisonburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 94.892 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,901 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,364 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,780
2025 BLS Actual
$79,720
2026 Current Est.
$82,901
2019–2027 Growth
+0.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Harrisonburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisonburg metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -7.1% from $85,780 (2019) to $79,720 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $429 (0.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisonburg 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) | $63,351 – $68,373 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,373 – $82,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,901 – $112,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,184 – $139,180 |
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 Harrisonburg
The local job market shows a steady presence of 60 employed speech-language pathologists, indicating a supportive community for this profession. With a cost of living index at 94.892, Harrisonburg residents find themselves with a purchasing power that can significantly impact their quality of life. Employers across various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and school districts, influence salary variations. Medical SLPs typically receive higher pay than their peers in schools, particularly if they possess board certification or work in specialized rehabilitation settings. Additionally, the emergence of telepractice options has expanded income potential, allowing for flexible work arrangements. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing advanced certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying medical environments, and considering bilingual opportunities can contribute to better financial outcomes for SLPs in Harrisonburg.
More salary data for Harrisonburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Harrisonburg, VA in 2026?
Is Harrisonburg, VA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Harrisonburg?
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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 $79,720 for speech-language pathologistsin the Harrisonburg 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