Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $39.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Knoxville, TN runs $39.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,175 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,706 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, the median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist stands at $39.03, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $48.93. This hourly wage provides insight into the local market and reflects the compensation trends in various settings. Part-time speech-language pathologists working three days a week, or around 24 hours, may find this rate a viable option for balancing work with personal commitments. While the hourly pay for entry-level practitioners starts at $27.29, experienced professionals can earn up to $54.14, particularly in specialized roles such as dysphagia evaluation or telepractice, which have seen substantial growth post-2020. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and projected for 2026, highlight a spectrum of earning potential available to those in the field across Knoxville’s diverse healthcare environments.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.29 | $218.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.21 | $249.66 |
| Median (P50) | $39.03 | $312.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.23 | $385.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.14 | $433.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $39.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.03/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $81,177 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,833. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,561.10 | $6,765 | $81,177 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $936.66 | $4,059 | $48,706 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.44 | $2,706 | $32,471 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Knoxville) | $39.03 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $81,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.24% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.90% below the Tennessee state average of $86,264.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.03/hr = $48,706/year (purchasing power: $52,616).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,177/year (purchasing power: $87,694).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Knoxville grew 11.2% from $33.74/hr (2019) to $37.53/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.58/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Examining the earning potential for part-time clinicians in Knoxville, a speech-language pathologist working 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $61,284 annually. This is in contrast to full-time professionals who earn substantially more with the typical schedule of 40 hours a week. For those engaged in per-diem positions, compensation can vary widely; per diem speech-language pathologist pay in Knoxville ranges from $50 to $75 per hour for general practice, while medical settings can see rates upward of $80 to $110 per hour. Employment type significantly influences hourly rates; for instance, school districts may offer lower pay but provide benefits versus higher pay in private practice without health insurance. Negotiating salaries can benefit from understanding prospective employers' compensation structures and the roles speech-language pathologists typically fulfill within the community, whether in schools, outpatient clinics, or via telepractice contracts.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Knoxville. 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