Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Roanoke, VA: $95,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Roanoke, VA earns a median $95,213/year (≈ $45.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $101,704 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Professionals in the field of speech-language pathology in Roanoke, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $95,213 in 2026. This compensation reflects a range of incomes, with the lowest 10% earning around $65,534 and the upper echelon reaching as much as $123,135. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures reveal how speech-language pathologist pay in Roanoke VA tends to be slightly lower compared to the national average, which stands at $101,775. Despite this slight disparity, the growing market in Roanoke offers enticing potential, especially with the trend towards telepractice offering alternative income streams. The local job opportunities in this sector are robust, suggesting a stable demand for skilled professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,534 | $31.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,939 | $37.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,213 | $45.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,630 | $54.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,135 | $59.20 |
Median Salary Position
6.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,601 (2026 est.). At $95,213, the local median is 6.45% below the national median of $101,775.
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How Roanoke Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $95,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $97,156 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -6.45% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $95,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.45% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.00% below the Virginia state average of $97,156.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $95,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,704 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,910
2025 BLS Actual
$91,560
2026 Current Est.
$95,213
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,012 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 11.8% from $81,910 (2019) to $91,560 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,012 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,102 (20.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $65,534 – $78,939 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,939 – $95,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,213 – $113,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,630 – $123,135 |
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 Roanoke
Examining the local job landscape, there are approximately 190 speech-language pathologists currently employed in Roanoke, making it a competitive yet fruitful market for practitioners. The cost-of-living index is relatively low at 93.618, allowing professionals to stretch their earnings further compared to areas with higher living costs. School districts remain the largest employers, accounting for roughly 55% of the workforce, but positions in medical settings, such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, typically offer higher salaries. Factors influencing salary variation include work setting; for instance, SLPs in medical environments often earn more due to the complexity of care, whereas school-based SLPs may have differing contract structures. To maximize income, practitioners might consider expanding their qualifications and competencies, such as obtaining bilingual certification or exploring telepractice opportunities that command higher hourly rates. In such ways, Roanoke's speech-language pathologists can enhance their earning potential while serving the community effectively.
More salary data for Roanoke, 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 $91,560 for speech-language pathologistsin the Roanoke 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