SLP Salary

Johnstown vs Philadelphia: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Johnstown, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Johnstown, PA
$87,424
$42.03/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$104,073
$50.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJohnstown, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$87,424$104,073
Hourly Rate$42.03$50.04
Entry Level (P10)$60,481$69,611
25th Percentile$75,029$82,329
75th Percentile$102,409$121,616
Top Earner (P90)$122,199$137,360
Total Employed703,330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Johnstown ($87,424) and Philadelphia ($104,073) speech-language pathologist salaries.JohnstownPhiladelphiaMedian Salary$87,424$104,073Entry Level (P10)$60,481$69,611Top Earner (P90)$122,199$137,360US Median $101,775

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Johnstown.

The salary gap between Johnstown and Philadelphia is $16,649 (19.04%). Philadelphia's median is +2.26% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Johnstown spans $61,718,Philadelphia spans $67,749. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Johnstown
P10 (Entry)$60,481
P25$75,029
Median$87,424
P75$102,409
P90 (Top)$122,199
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$69,611
P25$82,329
Median$104,073
P75$121,616
P90 (Top)$137,360

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Johnstown ($101,740 effective) pays 0.25% more than Philadelphia ($101,481 effective).

Johnstown
Nominal: $87,424
CoL Index: 85.929
Adjusted: $101,740
Philadelphia
Nominal: $104,073
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $101,481

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Johnstown if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,740)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,073/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,360)
  • Larger job market (3,330 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Johnstown grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.7% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

Johnstown, PA

+11.4%

$75,450 (2019) → $84,070 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+26.7%

$79,020 (2019) → $100,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Johnstown or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,073/year, compared to Johnstown at $87,424/year — a difference of $16,649 (19.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Johnstown and Philadelphia?

Johnstown speech-language pathologists earn $42.03/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $50.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Johnstown to Philadelphia as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Johnstown and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Johnstown = $101,740, Philadelphia = $101,481), job availability (70 vs 3,330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Johnstown vs Philadelphia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $60,481 in Johnstown and $69,611 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 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