Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Morgantown, WV: $35.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Morgantown, WV runs $35.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,771 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Morgantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,268 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Morgantown, West Virginia, speech-language pathologists earn a median hourly rate of $35.47, which is considerably lower than the national median of $48.93 per hour. This hourly rate can significantly influence the livelihoods of both part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in settings such as school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and telepractice. For example, an SLP working part-time for three days a week could expect to earn roughly $28,000 annually at this rate, which may not be sufficient for many professionals in a city where the cost of living index is below the national average at 93.323. Entry-level speech-language pathologists can anticipate hourly earnings around $28.20, while top earners may reach up to $50.51 per hour, making the profession somewhat competitive for those considering various employment environments.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.20 | $225.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.79 | $270.29 |
| Median (P50) | $35.47 | $283.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.46 | $387.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.51 | $404.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morgantown
Based on $35.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.47/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morgantown, WV can expect to earn approximately $73,780 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,565. With a cost-of-living index of 93.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morgantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morgantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,418.84 | $6,148 | $73,780 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $851.30 | $3,689 | $44,268 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $567.54 | $2,459 | $29,512 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Morgantown) | $35.47 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV earn a median of $73,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.52% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.50% below the West Virginia state average of $75,662.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.47/hr = $44,268/year (purchasing power: $47,435).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,780/year (purchasing power: $79,058).
CoL index: 93.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Morgantown grew 18.2% from $28.87/hr (2019) to $34.11/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.89/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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown
Analyzing the potential earnings for part-time and per-diem SLPs in Morgantown reveals a broad spectrum of opportunities. Those engaging in per-diem roles often secure payment rates ranging between $50 and $75 per hour, with medical SLPs specializing in dysphagia potentially billing $80 to $110 per hour in cash practices. For telepractice work, pay can range from $40 to $60 per hour depending on the complexity of the caseload and contract. Employment settings impact these hourly rates significantly; for instance, SLPs in school districts might earn lower wages compared to those working in hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities. Many speech-language pathologists weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits against salaries that include health insurance. For negotiation, it’s beneficial for SLPs in Morgantown to emphasize the value of their CCC-SLP credentials and the critical skill sets they bring to diverse clinical environments. Understanding local market conditions and articulating worth based on experience can lead to better pay outcomes.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Morgantown in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Morgantown?
Are speech-language pathologists in Morgantown paid hourly or salary?
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Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Morgantown?
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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 Morgantown. 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