Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $93,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $93,992/year (≈ $45.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $91,078 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Portsmouth, VA, is projected to be $93,992 annually, which reflects a 7.65% lower compensation compared to the national median of $101,775. Salaries range significantly, from $61,015 at the 10th percentile to $126,806 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the local cost of living in Portsmouth, which is slightly above the national average with a cost of living index of 103.2. With the rapid expansion of telepractice options, many speech-language pathologists also have opportunities to supplement their income in this area, capitalizing on flexible work arrangements and diverse client needs, ultimately enhancing the appeal of working in Portsmouth.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,015 | $29.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,475 | $35.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,992 | $45.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,806 | $60.97 |
Median Salary Position
7.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,791 (2026 est.). At $93,992, the local median is 7.65% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be above the median
How Portsmouth Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $93,992/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $97,100 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -7.65% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $93,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.65% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $97,100.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $93,992 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,078 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,070
2025 BLS Actual
$90,386
2026 Current Est.
$93,992
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,706 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,879 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,386 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,743 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $73,070 (2019) to $90,386 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,743 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,673 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $61,015 – $74,475 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,475 – $93,992 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,992 – $109,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,440 – $126,806 |
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 Portsmouth
Currently, there are 17 speech-language pathologists employed in Portsmouth, a modest figure suggesting a competitive job market for this specialized field. The cost of living index indicates that while salaries may be lower compared to the national average, the actual take-home purchasing power could still be favorable. Among the local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient pediatric clinics typically offer the highest salaries, compared to school districts, which represent a significant portion of the employment market yet often adhere to academic year contracts. The spread in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including the different settings in which SLPs operate—medical environments generally pay better than schools, and those with bilingual skills may command a premium as well. To enhance earning potential, SLPs in Portsmouth should consider positions in therapy-focused settings, pursue additional certifications, or explore telepractice options for more flexible and potentially higher pay.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
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 $90,386 for speech-language pathologistsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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