Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Odessa, TX: $102,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Odessa, TX earns a median $102,867/year (≈ $49.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Odessa's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $109,554 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Odessa, TX, the role of speech-language pathologists continues to blossom, particularly in the medical field where expertise in dysphagia significantly enhances market value. The 2026 median annual salary for these professionals is projected at $102,867. This figure positions Odessa slightly above the national median of $101,775, showcasing the local demand for skilled practitioners in a competitive medical landscape. Salary ranges extend from $85,875 at the lower end to $130,112 for those in high-demand positions, highlighting the potential for significant financial reward tied to specific specialties. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys illustrates a vibrant job market that favors those with advanced qualifications and specific skill sets, like dysphagia expertise, which is increasingly sought after in local healthcare settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,875 | $41.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,867 | $49.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,867 | $49.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,211 | $61.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,112 | $62.55 |
Median Salary Position
1.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Odessa
In Odessa, TX, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,237 (2026 est.). At $102,867, the local median is 1.07% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Odessa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Odessa Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Odessa median: $102,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Odessa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $96,408 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +1.07% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Odessa, TX earn a median of $102,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.07% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 6.70% above the Texas state average of $96,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Odessa has a cost of living 6.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Odessa, TX has a cost-of-living index of 93.896 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $102,867 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,554 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,650
2025 BLS Actual
$98,920
2026 Current Est.
$102,867
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,971 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Odessa metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 38.1% from $71,650 (2019) to $98,920 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,321 (49.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Odessa 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) | $85,875 – $102,867 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,867 – $102,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,867 – $127,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,211 – $130,112 |
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 Odessa
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Odessa is supported by approximately 70 practitioners currently employed, which reflects healthy demand for their services. The cost-of-living index in Odessa, at 93.896, suggests that residents enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle given local salaries. Job opportunities vary across settings, with hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically offering more competitive compensation compared to school districts. Factors influencing pay variance include the type of contract—year-round positions often yield higher salaries than school-year roles—as well as additional stipends for board specialty certifications. For recent graduates or clinicians in a CFY year, seeking roles in medical settings or telepractice may yield higher pay and flexibility, especially given the post-2020 surge in demand for remote services.
More salary data for Odessa, TX:
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 $98,920 for speech-language pathologistsin the Odessa 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