Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Decatur, AL: $70,037 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Decatur, AL earns a median $70,037/year (≈ $33.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $80,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, speech-language pathologists in Decatur, AL, can anticipate a median annual salary of $70,037, which reflects a significant difference of 31.18% compared to the national median of $101,775. The salary range varies widely, from $61,957 at the lower tenth percentile to as much as $102,784 at the upper ninetieth percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, indicates that the local market offers competitive compensation, especially for specialists focused on dysphagia and medical settings, where demand often drives higher pay. As Decatur continues to develop its healthcare and educational services, aspiring SLPs may find ample opportunities that leverage their expertise, especially within medical institutions known for serving patients with complex swallowing disorders.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,957 | $29.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,524 | $31.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,037 | $33.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,357 | $40.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,784 | $49.42 |
Median Salary Position
31.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,827 (2026 est.). At $70,037, the local median is 31.18% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Decatur Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Decatur median: $70,037/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $74,906 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -31.18% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Decatur, AL earn a median of $70,037 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.18% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 6.50% below the Alabama state average of $74,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $70,037 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,370
2025 BLS Actual
$67,350
2026 Current Est.
$70,037
2019–2027 Growth
+57.1%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,037 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 45.2% from $46,370 (2019) to $67,350 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,462 (57.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,957 – $65,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,524 – $70,037 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,037 – $84,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,357 – $102,784 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Decatur
The job market in Decatur holds promise for speech-language pathologists, with about 60 professionals currently employed in the area. A favorable cost-of-living index of 87.212 suggests that salaries stretch further here than in many urban centers, enhancing overall purchasing power for speech-language pathologists. To maximize earnings in Decatur, professionals should target roles in hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing units, which typically offer the highest salaries due to the nature of care provided. The variance in salaries can be attributed to factors such as setting and specialization; for example, medical SLPs often see higher pay compared to those in school districts, where contracts typically align with the academic year. Furthermore, securing board specialty certifications or engaging in telepractice can elevate earnings substantially. For those considering a career in this field, focusing on bilingual capabilities or certification in specific areas of pediatric care may offer additional advantages in salary negotiations and job placement.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $67,350 for speech-language pathologistsin the Decatur metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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