Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Pelham, AL: $69,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Pelham, AL earns a median $69,274/year (≈ $33.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $78,810 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pelham, Alabama, the projected salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2026 is $69,274, reflecting a significant difference when compared to the national average of $101,775. The salary range for local professionals spans from a starting point of $48,670 at the 10th percentile to a high of $88,726 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity. It's crucial to recognize that Pelham's job market is heavily influenced by the division between educational and medical settings, with school districts employing a majority of SLPs. This structural variance creates distinct salary trajectories in the area, as school contracts often differ greatly from those in medical facilities.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,162 | $27.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,274 | $33.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,795 | $37.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,726 | $42.66 |
Median Salary Position
31.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,056 (2026 est.). At $69,274, the local median is 31.93% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be above the median
How Pelham Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Pelham median: $69,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $74,891 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -31.93% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Pelham, AL earn a median of $69,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.93% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $74,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $69,274 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,810 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,854
2025 BLS Actual
$66,616
2026 Current Est.
$69,274
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,854 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,779 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,813 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,271 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,038 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $53,854 (2019) to $66,616 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,184 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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) | $48,670 – $57,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,162 – $69,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,274 – $78,795 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,795 – $88,726 |
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 Pelham
In Pelham, only four speech-language pathologists are currently employed, suggesting a tight local job market for this profession. The cost of living index stands at 87.9, indicating that while salaries may appear lower relative to national standards, the reduced living expenses offer SLPs a better purchasing power in the community. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to offer the highest pay, followed closely by specialized outpatient clinics. This disparity can be attributed to various factors such as the setting—where medical roles generally command more pay—board certification stipends, and the increasing demand for bilingual professionals. To maximize their earnings, SLPs in Pelham should consider diversifying their practice through teletherapy or pursuing certifications that enhance their marketability. The growth of telepractice, which has expanded significantly in recent years, offers promising avenues for increased compensation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Pelham, 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 $66,616 for speech-language pathologistsin the Pelham 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
Salary data for Pelham is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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