Speech-Language Pathologist salary in North Carolina
Speech-Language Pathologists in North Carolina earn a median of $86,460 a year ($41.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,040 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $97,870. North Carolina ranks 31st of 51 states for Speech-Language pathologists pay. There are 1.1 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| 25th percentile | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Median | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| 75th percentile | $103,020 | $49.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,040 | $58.19 |
| Average (mean) | $88,640 | $42.62 |
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 | $7,205 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,602.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,325.38 |
| Weekly | $1,662.69 |
| Hourly | $41.57 |
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 North Carolina
| 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $86,120 | 130 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in North Carolina is $86,460 a year, or $41.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in North Carolina earn at least $121,040 a year. The top 25% earn $103,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,800 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $71,160 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in North Carolina?
About 5,600 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.