SLP Salary

Augusta vs Rome: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Augusta, GA and Rome, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$86,260
$41.47/hr
Rome, GA
$88,849
$42.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GARome, GA
Median Salary$86,260$88,849
Hourly Rate$41.47$42.72
Entry Level (P10)$62,176$54,075
25th Percentile$67,729$71,337
75th Percentile$106,964$123,135
Top Earner (P90)$120,545$128,136
Total Employed26050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($86,260) and Rome ($88,849) speech-language pathologist salaries.AugustaRomeMedian Salary$86,260$88,849Entry Level (P10)$62,176$54,075Top Earner (P90)$120,545$128,136US Median $101,775

Verdict

Rome, GA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Rome is $2,589 (3.00%). Rome's median is -12.70% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $58,369,Rome spans $74,061. Rome has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$62,176
P25$67,729
Median$86,260
P75$106,964
P90 (Top)$120,545
Rome
P10 (Entry)$54,075
P25$71,337
Median$88,849
P75$123,135
P90 (Top)$128,136

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rome ($98,545 effective) pays 4.99% more than Augusta ($93,860 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $86,260
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $93,860
Rome
Nominal: $88,849
CoL Index: 90.161
Adjusted: $98,545

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Rome if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,849/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,136)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,545)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Augusta grew 4.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -20.6% growth in Rome over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+4.9%

$79,090 (2019) → $82,950 (2025)

Rome, GA

+-20.6%

$107,650 (2019) → $85,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Augusta or Rome?

Rome has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $88,849/year, compared to Augusta at $86,260/year — a difference of $2,589 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Rome?

Augusta speech-language pathologists earn $41.47/hr while Rome hygienists earn $42.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Rome as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $93,860, Rome = $98,545), job availability (260 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Augusta vs Rome?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $62,176 in Augusta and $54,075 in Rome. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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