Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $86,120 a year ($41.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $97,870. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $86,460. There are 0.85 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $89,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| 25th percentile | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Median | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| 75th percentile | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,410 | $56.93 |
| Average (mean) | $89,620 | $43.09 |
Half of Speech-Language pathologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,176.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,588.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,312.31 |
| Weekly | $1,656.15 |
| Hourly | $41.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $101,580 | 240 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $97,870 | 880 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $93,850 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,960 | 1,260 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87,400 | 1,050 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $85,890 | 340 |
| Asheville, NC | $85,040 | 290 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $83,460 | 390 |
| Wilmington, NC | $82,410 | 300 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $81,910 | 220 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $79,240 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $78,830 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $78,300 | 60 |
| Burlington, NC | $77,450 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for Speech-Language pathologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,970 |
| Colorado | $110,750 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 |
| Washington | $105,550 |
| Nevada | $104,510 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 |
| Delaware | $102,760 |
| Alaska | $102,670 |
| Oregon | $102,660 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 |
See Speech-Language Pathologist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1127. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Speech-Language pathologist make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $86,120 a year, or $41.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $118,410 a year. The top 25% earn $103,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,020 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $71,480 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 130 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.