Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Morgantown, WV: $73,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Morgantown, WV earns a median $73,771/year (≈ $35.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $79,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morgantown, West Virginia, the projected median salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2026 stands at $73,771, roughly 27.52% lower than the national median of $101,775. This figure reflects a competitive salary range from $58,661 at the 10th percentile to $105,051 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the potential earnings available in specialized areas like dysphagia and other medical speech-language pathology services. According to data derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), this compensation framework can vary considerably depending on factors such as experience, employment setting, and specific focus areas within the field. As the local healthcare market evolves, opportunities for practitioners specializing in medical SLP positions can enhance their earning potential in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,661 | $28.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,266 | $33.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,771 | $35.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,808 | $48.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,051 | $50.51 |
Median Salary Position
27.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,390 (2026 est.). At $73,771, the local median is 27.52% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morgantown Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $73,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $75,662 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -27.52% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $73,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.52% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.50% below the West Virginia state average of $75,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $73,771 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,049 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.15% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,040
2025 BLS Actual
$70,940
2026 Current Est.
$73,771
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 18.2% from $60,040 (2019) to $70,940 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,674 (27.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $58,661 – $70,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,266 – $73,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,771 – $100,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,808 – $105,051 |
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 Morgantown
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Morgantown includes around 60 professionals currently employed. Given the area's cost-of-living index of 93.323, salaries tend to stretch further than in many urban settings, impacting overall purchasing power positively. School districts, particularly at the elementary level, typically employ a significant number of SLPs, yet medical settings, such as hospital inpatient rehab and skilled nursing facilities, often provide higher salaries due to the demand for specialized skills. Factors like contractual differences between school-year versus year-round employment, additional stipends for board specialty certifications, and the rise of telepractice opportunities have influenced pay disparities. For practitioners looking to maximize their earnings in Morgantown, pursuing medical certifications, engaging in bilingual practices, or seeking roles in high-demand settings can be effective strategies to improve their compensation.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
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 $70,940 for speech-language pathologistsin the Morgantown 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