Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Huntsville, AL: $37.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Huntsville, AL runs $37.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,660 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Huntsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,591 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For speech-language pathologists in Huntsville, Alabama, the projected hourly median pay is $37.33, which falls significantly below the national median of $48.93 per hour. This discrepancy indicates a challenging financial landscape for SLPs in the region, especially for part-time practitioners working three days a week in settings such as school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and telepractice sessions. The hourly range for these professionals spans from $28.22 at the entry level to up to $54.61 for experienced speech-language pathologists. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and projected to 2026, serves as vital information for those seeking to evaluate their potential earnings as part-time or per-diem staff, whether at the hospital bedside conducting dysphagia evaluations or during virtual sessions targeting communication disorders.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.22 | $225.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.42 | $259.39 |
| Median (P50) | $37.33 | $298.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.44 | $339.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.61 | $436.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntsville
Based on $37.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.33/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntsville, AL can expect to earn approximately $77,651 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,799. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,493.30 | $6,471 | $77,651 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $895.98 | $3,883 | $46,591 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $597.32 | $2,588 | $31,061 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Huntsville) | $37.33 |
| Audiologist (National Avg) | $43.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| School / Educational Counselor (National Avg) | $30.85 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $31.40 |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Huntsville, AL earn a median of $77,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.69% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.70% above the Alabama state average of $74,889.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.33/hr = $46,591/year (purchasing power: $50,059).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,651/year (purchasing power: $83,432).
CoL index: 93.072 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Huntsville grew 20.6% from $29.76/hr (2019) to $35.90/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.82/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntsville 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.
Working as an Hourly Speech-Language Pathologist in Huntsville
Looking deeper into the hourly pay structure, part-time speech-language pathologists, who typically work around 24 hours per week, can expect to bring home approximately $46,756 annually if they maintain the median hourly rate. In contrast, per-diem or agency speech-language pathologists in Huntsville may command rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour, with some specialized medical SLPs focused on dysphagia earning between $80 and $110. Variations in pay can be influenced by whether the SLP is employed in school districts, hospitals, or private practices, with schools often offering lower wages but greater job security and benefits. Clinicians should strategically negotiate their terms, considering the trade-off between taking a lower hourly rate for a position that includes health insurance versus accepting higher pay without benefits, a choice that reflects market dynamics in Huntsville, AL.
More salary data for Huntsville, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Huntsville in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Huntsville?
Are speech-language pathologists in Huntsville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Huntsville?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Huntsville?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Alabama
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in Huntsville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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