Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Knoxville, TN
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $78,060 a year ($37.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,290 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $97,870. Pay here is 8% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $84,630. There are 0.95 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,590 | $26.24 |
| 25th percentile | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Median | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| 75th percentile | $96,470 | $46.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,290 | $52.06 |
| Average (mean) | $79,430 | $38.19 |
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 | $6,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,252.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,002.31 |
| Weekly | $1,501.15 |
| Hourly | $37.53 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $93,740 | 330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $93,370 | 170 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $86,120 | 460 |
| Morristown, TN | $85,750 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $83,780 | 980 |
| Johnson City, TN | $82,050 | 140 |
| Jackson, TN | $82,000 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $78,940 | 160 |
| Cleveland, TN | $67,840 | 40 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $78,060 a year, or $37.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $108,290 a year. The top 25% earn $96,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,590 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $62,420 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 400 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.