Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Cleveland, TN: $70,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Cleveland, TN earns a median $70,547/year (≈ $33.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $80,094 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.2% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, TN, the projected median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $70,547, which reflects a considerable gap compared to the national median of $101,775. This wage is influenced by the prevalence of specialists in dysphagia and medical settings, where those roles typically command higher pay within the local market. The overall salary range for this profession locally spans from $43,218 at the 10th percentile to $110,500 at the 90th percentile, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. With a focused job market that comprises around 40 employed speech-language pathologists, Cleveland's economy presents a unique blend of opportunities and challenges for SLPs aiming to advance their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,218 | $20.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,193 | $30.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,547 | $33.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,690 | $46.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,500 | $53.13 |
Median Salary Position
30.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,282 (2026 est.). At $70,547, the local median is 30.68% below 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: $70,547/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,243 | -18.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -30.68% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $70,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.68% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 18.20% below the Tennessee state average of $86,243.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 11.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $70,547 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,094 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,843
2025 BLS Actual
$67,840
2026 Current Est.
$70,547
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
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 | $54,843 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,786 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,362 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $54,843 (2019) to $67,840 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,362 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,519 (33.77%) 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) | $43,218 – $64,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,193 – $70,547 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,547 – $96,690 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,690 – $110,500 |
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
Examining the local job market, Cleveland's cost-of-living index is at 88.08, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power might allow local SLPs to maintain a favorable standard of living. Various employers such as school districts, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities offer differing pay scales, with medical settings generally providing more attractive compensation for specialized roles. Factors influencing the wide spectrum of salaries include the setting in which SLPs work—medical positions tend to pay more than those in private practice or schools—contract types that differentiate year-round employment from school-year contracts, and additional stipends for specialty board certifications. To maximize earnings in the Cleveland market, SLPs may benefit from pursuing bilingual qualifications or considering telepractice opportunities, which have seen a significant increase since the pandemic, offering flexible hourly rates that can enhance overall income.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
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 $67,840 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, 5-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