Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Kingsport, TN: $82,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Kingsport, TN earns a median $82,090/year (≈ $39.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $94,960 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, TN, the projected median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in 2026 stands at $82,090, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $101,775. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $57,195 at the tenth percentile to $122,209 at the ninetieth percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This structural divide between salaries in school settings and medical roles informs the overall compensation landscape, as the school districts—which employ about 55% of SLPs—often have year-round contracts that may not yield the same pay as those with medical or private practice positions. This dynamic of employment settings in Kingsport contributes to differing financial prospects for SLPs in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,195 | $27.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,387 | $31.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,090 | $39.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,174 | $51.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,209 | $58.75 |
Median Salary Position
19.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,014 (2026 est.). At $82,090, the local median is 19.34% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $82,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,229 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -19.34% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $82,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.34% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.80% below the Tennessee state average of $86,229.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,090 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,960 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,870
2025 BLS Actual
$78,940
2026 Current Est.
$82,090
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,365 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 13.0% from $69,870 (2019) to $78,940 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,365 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,495 (22.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $57,195 – $66,387 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,387 – $82,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,090 – $106,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,174 – $122,209 |
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 Kingsport
The local job market comprises 160 employed speech-language pathologists, a figure that reflects both opportunities and competition within Kingsport. The cost-of-living index is notably low at 86.447, indicating that SLPs might find their take-home pay stretches further compared to more expensive areas. Among the highest-paying employers in Kingsport are hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, which typically offer higher salaries due to the complex nature of the services rendered, followed by skilled nursing facilities. Variability in pay is often linked to the setting in which SLPs work; medical positions usually command higher rates than school roles. Additionally, factors such as board certification stipends, bilingual capabilities, and the emergence of telepractice can drive compensation up. For those looking to maximize their pay in this market, pursuing specialized credentials, considering private practice or teletherapy options, and aiming for positions in inpatient rehab settings can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 $78,940 for speech-language pathologistsin the Kingsport 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