North Carolina Median
$86,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $97,870
State Rank
#31 of 51
5,600 employed here
How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in North Carolina?
Speech-Language Pathologists in North Carolina take home a median of $86,460 annually — roughly $41.57 an hour — which runs 12% below the national median of $97,870.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $60,800 while the top 10% make $121,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,160 and $103,020 a year.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,800 | $29.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $71,160 | $34.21 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,460 | $41.57 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $103,020 | $49.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,040 | $58.19 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories for Speech-Language Pathologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in other states
California $118,970Colorado $110,750District of Columbia $109,380Washington $105,550Nevada $104,510Rhode Island $104,000Delaware $102,760Alaska $102,670Oregon $102,660New Jersey $101,560Massachusetts $101,310New York $100,610Connecticut $100,110Florida $99,990Texas $99,910Maryland $99,190New Mexico $98,690Arizona $97,800Hawaii $97,560Georgia $96,760Virginia $96,250Illinois $95,080Ohio $93,300Pennsylvania $92,960Utah $91,560South Carolina $90,530Minnesota $89,380Missouri $89,280Michigan $89,120Indiana $87,360Tennessee $84,630Oklahoma $84,470Idaho $84,380Nebraska $84,350Arkansas $83,580Kentucky $83,550New Hampshire $83,040Wisconsin $83,000Maine $82,660Vermont $82,090Wyoming $82,040Iowa $81,050West Virginia $80,970Kansas $80,120Montana $78,740Mississippi $78,130North Dakota $75,240Alabama $73,660Louisiana $69,610South Dakota $65,680
Working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in North Carolina
Nationally, about 183,000 people work as Speech-Language Pathologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($86,460) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in North Carolina?
The median Speech-Language Pathologist salary in North Carolina is $86,460 per year, or about $41.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,800 at the entry level to $121,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Speech-Language Pathologists about 12% less than the national median of $97,870. North Carolina ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Speech-Language Pathologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $86,460 a year. About 5,600 Speech-Language Pathologists are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Speech-Language Pathologist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.