Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Bristol, RI: $96,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Bristol, RI earns a median $96,827/year (≈ $46.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $96,345 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $96,827 in 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Bristol, RI, reflects a competitive regional compensation level that is slightly lower than the national median of $101,775. Salary figures for this profession in Bristol range from $63,624 at the lower 10th percentile to $128,254 for the top 90th percentile, indicating varied pay scales influenced by experience, specialization, and employment settings. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional pricing, reveal that the Bristol job market offers a distinct niche for practitioners, particularly as telepractice continues to grow in popularity and availability. With a small presence of just five employed speech-language pathologists in the area, the dynamics of supply and demand are important factors to consider for prospective clinicians.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,624 | $30.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,696 | $36.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,827 | $46.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,125 | $51.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,254 | $61.66 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,630 (2026 est.). At $96,827, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be above the median
How Bristol Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $96,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $102,246 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -4.86% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Bristol, RI earn a median of $96,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $102,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,827 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,345 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,274
2025 BLS Actual
$93,112
2026 Current Est.
$96,827
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,216 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,049 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,949 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,528 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,112 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,691 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $75,274 (2019) to $93,112 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,691 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,417 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $63,624 – $76,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,696 – $96,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,827 – $107,125 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,125 – $128,254 |
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 Bristol
In Bristol's local market, where the cost of living index stands at 100.5, understanding how much do speech-language pathologists make in Bristol involves recognizing both salary structures and lifestyle expenses. Positions in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to school districts, which dominate the employment landscape for SLPs. However, school contracts may come with fewer hours, which can impact annual earnings. Employers looking for bilingual SLPs often provide a premium, while those venturing into telepractice can generate supplemental income through flexible contract work. To maximize pay in Bristol, aspiring speech-language pathologists should consider gaining board specialty certification, targeting year-round work settings, and exploring opportunities with private practice and telepractice agencies, which continue to rise as viable income sources.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Bristol?
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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 $93,112 for speech-language pathologistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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