SLP Salary

Cleveland vs Marion: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Cleveland, OH and Marion, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$102,846
$49.45/hr
Marion, OH
$91,153
$43.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHMarion, OH
Median Salary$102,846$91,153
Hourly Rate$49.45$43.82
Entry Level (P10)$67,521$61,700
25th Percentile$81,528$73,848
75th Percentile$119,890$105,030
Top Earner (P90)$157,056$120,108
Total Employed1,1807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($102,846) and Marion ($91,153) speech-language pathologist salaries.ClevelandMarionMedian Salary$102,846$91,153Entry Level (P10)$67,521$61,700Top Earner (P90)$157,056$120,108US Median $101,775

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Marion.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Marion is $11,693 (12.83%). Cleveland's median is +1.05% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $89,535,Marion spans $58,408. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$67,521
P25$81,528
Median$102,846
P75$119,890
P90 (Top)$157,056
Marion
P10 (Entry)$61,700
P25$73,848
Median$91,153
P75$105,030
P90 (Top)$120,108

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($109,500 effective) pays 8.96% more than Marion ($100,499 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $102,846
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $109,500
Marion
Nominal: $91,153
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $100,499

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,846/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($157,056)
  • Larger job market (1,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,500)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Marion if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Cleveland grew 22.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in Marion over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+22.0%

$81,060 (2019) → $98,900 (2025)

Marion, OH

+23.7%

$70,847 (2024) → $87,656 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Cleveland or Marion?

Cleveland has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $102,846/year, compared to Marion at $91,153/year — a difference of $11,693 (12.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Marion?

Cleveland speech-language pathologists earn $49.45/hr while Marion hygienists earn $43.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Marion as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Marion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $109,500, Marion = $100,499), job availability (1,180 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Cleveland vs Marion?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $67,521 in Cleveland and $61,700 in Marion. The Cleveland 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