Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Memphis, TN: $89,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Memphis, TN earns a median $89,556/year (≈ $43.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $97,154 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Memphis, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $89,556, which reflects the local market dynamics, particularly the demand for subspecialties like dysphagia. This subspecialty often attracts a premium due to its critical role in healthcare settings. The salary range for this profession in Memphis spans from $61,676 at the 10th percentile to $122,219 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, ensuring a reliable glimpse into the evolving landscape of speech-language pathologist pay in Memphis TN. The competitive market conditions reflect opportunities across various healthcare and educational settings, highlighting the importance of specialization in securing higher compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,676 | $29.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,607 | $31.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,556 | $43.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,340 | $51.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,219 | $58.75 |
Median Salary Position
12.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,543 (2026 est.). At $89,556, the local median is 12.01% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Memphis median: $89,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,195 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | -12.01% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Memphis, TN earn a median of $89,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.01% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.90% above the Tennessee state average of $86,195.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $89,556 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,154 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,950
2025 BLS Actual
$86,120
2026 Current Est.
$89,556
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 7.7% from $79,950 (2019) to $86,120 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,179 (16.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $61,676 – $65,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,607 – $89,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,556 – $106,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,340 – $122,219 |
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 Memphis
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Memphis is robust, with approximately 460 professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 92.179, slightly below the national average, which positively impacts overall purchasing power. While school districts represent the largest employment sector, it’s the medical facilities—such as inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities—that often provide the most lucrative salary packages. Factors that contribute to the income variability include the practice setting, the presence of state or board specialty certification stipends, contract types (school-year versus year-round), and geographic market needs for bilingual SLPs. To maximize earning potential in Memphis, pursuing additional certifications and considering positions in medical settings, particularly those focused on dysphagia, can be advantageous. Emphasizing versatility and seeking opportunities in telepractice can also prove beneficial, as this sector has seen significant growth since 2020.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 $86,120 for speech-language pathologistsin the Memphis 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