Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Tennessee
Speech-Language Pathologists in Tennessee earn a median of $84,630 a year ($40.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,790 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $97,870. Tennessee ranks 32nd of 51 states for Speech-Language pathologists pay. There are 1.0 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| 25th percentile | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Median | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| 75th percentile | $101,760 | $48.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,790 | $56.15 |
| Average (mean) | $85,050 | $40.89 |
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 | $7,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,526.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,255 |
| Weekly | $1,627.50 |
| Hourly | $40.69 |
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 Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $78,060 | 400 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in Tennessee is $84,630 a year, or $40.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in Tennessee earn at least $116,790 a year. The top 25% earn $101,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,550 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $64,730 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Tennessee?
About 3,320 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.