Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Hickory, NC: $89,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Hickory, NC earns a median $89,556/year (≈ $43.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $101,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, the projected 2026 median salary for speech-language pathologists is $89,556, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,775. This occupation features a salary range that spans from $66,574 at the 10th percentile to $123,135 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variability based on setting and experience. Factors like the dual employment landscape between schools and medical facilities largely drive this divide. While school districts provide about 55% of local positions, they often offer contracts that align with the academic calendar, leading to differences in year-round job availability compared to the consistent needs presented by hospital and skilled nursing facility environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,574 | $32.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,332 | $35.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,556 | $43.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,858 | $51.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,135 | $59.20 |
Median Salary Position
12.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,561 (2026 est.). At $89,556, the local median is 12.01% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $89,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,628 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -12.01% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $89,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.01% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.20% above the North Carolina state average of $87,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $89,556 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,209 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,790
2025 BLS Actual
$86,120
2026 Current Est.
$89,556
2019–2027 Growth
+11.1%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 2.8% from $83,790 (2019) to $86,120 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,339 (11.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $66,574 – $74,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,332 – $89,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,556 – $107,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,858 – $123,135 |
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 Hickory
Hickory's market for speech-language pathologists includes around 130 employment opportunities, which is promising for job seekers. The cost of living index in the area stands at 88.486, suggesting that salaries stretch further than in many urban zones. In terms of compensation, hospital rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities typically pay the highest for SLPs, particularly those specializing in dysphagia care. The pay differential can be attributed to the medical field's demand for specialized skills, with school-based SLPs often earning less due to their academic year contracts. Those aspiring to maximize their earnings could consider telepractice roles, which have surged since 2020, along with roles in bilingual services that often command higher rates. Exploring diverse practice settings can significantly enhance a speech-language pathologist’s overall pay in Hickory, NC.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
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 $86,120 for speech-language pathologistsin the Hickory 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