Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Panama City, FL: $107,692 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Panama City, FL earns a median $107,692/year (≈ $51.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Panama City's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $110,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Panama City, FL is projected to have a median annual income of $107,692, surpassing the national median of $101,775 by approximately 5.81%. The salary range for this profession in the region extends from $79,022 at the bottom 10% to $126,421 at the top 90%. The data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the distinctive structural divide between school-based and medical therapy settings. School districts constitute the largest employment market for speech-language pathologists, often dictating lower pay due to the seasonal nature of contracts. In contrast, medical settings typically offer more competitive salaries, highlighting the complexities of hiring and compensation within this vital field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,022 | $37.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,783 | $43.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,692 | $51.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,692 | $51.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,421 | $60.78 |
Median Salary Position
5.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Panama City
In Panama City, FL, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,399 (2026 est.). At $107,692, the local median is 5.81% above the national median of $101,775.
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How Panama City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Panama City median: $107,692/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Panama City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $103,153 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +5.81% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Panama City, FL earn a median of $107,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.81% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 4.40% above the Florida state average of $103,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Panama City has a cost of living 2.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Panama City, FL has a cost-of-living index of 97.296 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $107,692 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,685 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.78% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,140
2025 BLS Actual
$103,560
2026 Current Est.
$107,692
2019–2027 Growth
+80.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,692 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Panama City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 66.7% from $62,140 (2019) to $103,560 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,849 (80.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Panama City 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) | $79,022 – $90,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,783 – $107,692 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,692 – $107,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,692 – $126,421 |
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 Panama City
In Panama City, there are currently 110 speech-language pathologists employed, indicating a robust local job market. The cost of living index stands at 97.296, which is lower than the national average, thus enhancing local purchasing power for residents. Employers that typically pay the most include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities, where SLPs focusing on dysphagia can command higher wages. The disparity in pay can be attributed to several factors: settings that focus on medical therapy generally offer better compensation compared to private practice and school environments. Moreover, specialty certifications, bilingual capabilities, and the evolving domain of telepractice influence hourly rates significantly. To optimize earning potential in Panama City, pursuing positions in rehabilitation or early intervention programs, obtaining board specialty certifications, and considering telepractice roles can provide strategic advantages for clinicians in this evolving field.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
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 $103,560 for speech-language pathologistsin the Panama City 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