Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Fairmont, WV: $70,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Fairmont, WV earns a median $70,380/year (≈ $33.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Fairmont's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $81,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $70,380 for speech-language pathologists in Fairmont, WV, the earnings in this area reflect a significant gap when compared to the national median of $101,775. The local salary range spans from $50,186 at the P10 level to $91,129 at the P90 level, showcasing the variability in compensation based on factors such as work settings and contract types. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, reveal that Fairmont's market for speech-language pathologists is influenced heavily by the structural divide between school districts and medical facilities. With only four speech-language pathologists currently employed in the area, the limited availability of professionals may add to the variability in salary, particularly in light of the ongoing demand for services in both educational and healthcare settings.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,186 | $24.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,612 | $28.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,453 | $38.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,129 | $43.81 |
Median Salary Position
30.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairmont
In Fairmont, WV, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,943 (2026 est.). At $70,380, the local median is 30.85% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairmont: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairmont Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Fairmont median: $70,380/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairmont Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $75,597 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -30.85% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Fairmont, WV earn a median of $70,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.85% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $75,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairmont has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairmont, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $70,380 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,364 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,714
2025 BLS Actual
$67,680
2026 Current Est.
$70,380
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,714 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,654 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,672 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,185 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,747 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,785 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairmont metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $54,714 (2019) to $67,680 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,475 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairmont 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) | $50,186 – $58,612 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,612 – $70,380 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,380 – $80,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,453 – $91,129 |
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 Fairmont
In Fairmont, the cost of living is relatively favorable, with an index of 86.5, indicating that salaries stretch further compared to the national average. This economic context informs take-home purchasing power and can make the local speech-language pathologist pay competitive despite lower overall salaries than the national norm. Factors such as employment setting play a vital role in compensation, with medical facilities generally offering higher pay due to the specialized needs and complexities of services provided, particularly in inpatient rehabilitation settings. Strategies to maximize earnings in Fairmont include targeting medical positions, acquiring board specialty certifications, or tapping into the growing telepractice market, which gained prominence post-2020. Understanding the dynamics of school-year versus year-round contracts can also benefit those looking to make the most of their earnings in this unique market.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
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 $67,680 for speech-language pathologistsin the Fairmont 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
Salary data for Fairmont is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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