SLP Salary

Houston vs Murphy: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Houston, TX and Murphy, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$104,406
$50.20/hr
Murphy, TX
$89,117
$42.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMurphy, TX
Median Salary$104,406$89,117
Hourly Rate$50.20$42.84
Entry Level (P10)$72,429$62,562
25th Percentile$82,994$73,501
75th Percentile$125,589$103,224
Top Earner (P90)$140,990$117,145
Total Employed3,7805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($104,406) and Murphy ($89,117) speech-language pathologist salaries.HoustonMurphyMedian Salary$104,406$89,117Entry Level (P10)$72,429$62,562Top Earner (P90)$140,990$117,145US Median $101,775

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murphy.

The salary gap between Houston and Murphy is $15,289 (17.16%). Houston's median is +2.59% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $68,561,Murphy spans $54,583. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$72,429
P25$82,994
Median$104,406
P75$125,589
P90 (Top)$140,990
Murphy
P10 (Entry)$62,562
P25$73,501
Median$89,117
P75$103,224
P90 (Top)$117,145

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($105,857 effective) pays 14.03% more than Murphy ($92,830 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $104,406
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $105,857
Murphy
Nominal: $89,117
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $92,830

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,406/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($140,990)
  • Larger job market (3,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,857)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Murphy if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Houston grew 43.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.7% growth in Murphy over the same period.

Houston, TX

+43.6%

$69,900 (2019) → $100,400 (2025)

Murphy, TX

+9.7%

$78,099 (2024) → $85,698 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Houston or Murphy?

Houston has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,406/year, compared to Murphy at $89,117/year — a difference of $15,289 (17.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Murphy?

Houston speech-language pathologists earn $50.20/hr while Murphy hygienists earn $42.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Murphy as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Murphy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $105,857, Murphy = $92,830), job availability (3,780 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Houston vs Murphy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $72,429 in Houston and $62,562 in Murphy. The Houston 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