Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Pawtucket, RI: $102,172 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Pawtucket, RI earns a median $102,172/year (≈ $49.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Pawtucket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $101,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the projected median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 stands at $102,172. This reflects a competitive local market that offers a salary range stretching from $63,422 at the 10th percentile to $144,626 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, underscore the area's need for specialized professionals, particularly those focusing on dysphagia and other medical SLP services. With a median pay slightly above the national average of $101,775, Pawtucket presents an appealing opportunity where qualified speech-language pathologists can thrive in diverse settings.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,422 | $30.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,700 | $37.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,172 | $49.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,905 | $57.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,626 | $69.53 |
Median Salary Position
0.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pawtucket
In Pawtucket, RI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,204 (2026 est.). At $102,172, the local median is 0.39% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pawtucket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pawtucket Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Pawtucket median: $102,172/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pawtucket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $102,275 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +0.39% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $102,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $102,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pawtucket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pawtucket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,172 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,664 — a 0.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$79,429
2025 BLS Actual
$98,252
2026 Current Est.
$102,172
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,429 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,794 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,369 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,468 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,359 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,252 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,172 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,249 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pawtucket metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $79,429 (2019) to $98,252 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,249 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,820 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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) | $63,422 – $78,700 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,700 – $102,172 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,172 – $118,905 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,905 – $144,626 |
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 Pawtucket
Currently, there are 16 speech-language pathologists working in Pawtucket, contributing to a robust job market for this profession. Considering the local cost of living index at 100.5, which is slightly above the national average, speech-language pathologists in Pawtucket may find their take-home pay to align well with community expenses. Employers in the area, including hospitals for inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer the most competitive salaries. The discrepancy in pay often arises from factors such as the work setting, with medical roles generally commanding higher wages than those in school districts. Additionally, considerations like experience, whether the position is year-round versus school-year only, and any bilingual certification can influence overall compensation. For those looking to maximize their earnings in the Pawtucket market, advancing specialized skills and exploring opportunities in telepractice can be effective strategies, given the growing demand in the field.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Pawtucket, RI in 2026?
Is Pawtucket, RI a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Pawtucket?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Pawtucket?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Pawtucket?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 $98,252 for speech-language pathologistsin the Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket 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