Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Kentucky
Speech-Language Pathologists in Kentucky earn a median of $83,550 a year ($40.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,090 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $97,870. Kentucky ranks 37th of 51 states for Speech-Language pathologists pay. There are 1.3 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| 25th percentile | $70,250 | $33.78 |
| Median | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| 75th percentile | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,090 | $58.22 |
| Average (mean) | $89,180 | $42.87 |
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 | $6,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,213.46 |
| Weekly | $1,606.73 |
| Hourly | $40.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $103,420 | 710 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $98,700 | 200 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $95,930 | 1,690 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $93,370 | 170 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $87,470 | 360 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $82,870 | 140 |
| Owensboro, KY | $81,270 | 70 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $79,380 | 50 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $73,900 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,730 | $119.58 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | $167.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $241,530 | $116.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in Kentucky is $83,550 a year, or $40.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in Kentucky earn at least $121,090 a year. The top 25% earn $104,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,250 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $70,250 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Kentucky?
About 2,610 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.