Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $102,846 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $102,846/year (≈ $49.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $109,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, Ohio, speech-language pathologists can expect a median annual salary of $102,846 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $101,775. The salary range varies significantly, with the lower ten percent earning about $67,521 and the top ten percent potentially reaching $157,056, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This promising financial outlook highlights the growing demand for these professionals in the region, reinforcing Cleveland's status as an attractive location for both new graduates and seasoned speech-language pathologists seeking to expand their careers. As the telepractice sector continues to flourish, additional income opportunities in this remote therapy model further enhance the earning potential in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,521 | $32.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,528 | $39.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,846 | $49.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,890 | $57.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,056 | $75.51 |
Median Salary Position
1.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,535 (2026 est.). At $102,846, the local median is 1.05% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $102,846/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $95,671 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +1.05% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $102,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.05% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 7.50% above the Ohio state average of $95,671.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $102,846 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,500 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,060
2025 BLS Actual
$98,900
2026 Current Est.
$102,846
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,950 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 22.0% from $81,060 (2019) to $98,900 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,950 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,890 (31.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $67,521 – $81,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,528 – $102,846 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,846 – $119,890 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,890 – $157,056 |
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 Cleveland
Cleveland's job market for speech-language pathologists is robust, with approximately 1,180 professionals currently practicing in the area. The cost-of-living index of 93.923 suggests that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the comparatively lower living costs improve overall purchasing power. Employers such as school districts, hospital inpatient rehab facilities, and outpatient pediatric clinics typically offer the most competitive salaries, with medical settings often leading in pay due to the specialized skills required. The variation in compensation is influenced by several factors, including the work setting, type of contract, and optional bilingual certifications that can enhance earnings. To maximize pay in Cleveland, professionals should consider pursuing telepractice roles, obtaining additional certifications, and strategically negotiating contracts to align with the market's competitive landscape.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $98,900 for speech-language pathologistsin the Cleveland 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