Healthcare Athens, GA Pop. 127,064

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Athens, Georgia

The median speech-language pathologist salary in Athens, GA is $80,361 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.2% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$80,361
vs State Avg
$-2,679
vs National
$-8,929
Cost of Living
90%

Speech-Language Pathologist Pay in Athens: What to Expect (2026)

Athens offers a median speech-language pathologist salary of $80,361, which is $2,679 below the Georgia state average of $83,040. Compared to the national median of $89,290, Athens pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Athens's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for speech-language pathologists in Athens spans from $54,180 at the 10th percentile to $115,200 at the 90th percentile — a $61,020 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,800, while senior speech-language pathologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $108,000. With a population of 127,064, Athens is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Athens by Experience

In Athens, an entry-level speech-language pathologist earns around $55,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $108,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,000
$-9,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$108,000
$-12,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Athens, GA

Percentile Athens
10th Percentile $54,180
25th Percentile $65,700
Median (50th) $80,361
75th Percentile $97,200
90th Percentile $115,200

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$91,076
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$82,147
Pop. 147,780
Augusta, GA
$78,575
Pop. 202,081
Columbus, GA
$76,789
Pop. 206,922

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist in Athens

Education

Most speech-language pathologist positions require a master's degree. Athens and the surrounding Georgia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Speech AssessmentLanguage TherapySwallowing TherapyAAC DevicesDocumentationPatient Education

Job Outlook

Nationally, speech-language pathologist employment is projected to grow 19% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Athens may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Speech-Language Pathologist Jobs in Athens

Browse open speech-language pathologist positions in Athens, GA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Athens

How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in Athens, GA? ▼
The median speech-language pathologist salary in Athens, Georgia is $80,361 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $89,290. Salaries range from $54,180 (10th percentile) to $115,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make per hour in Athens? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,361, a speech-language pathologist in Athens earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Athens compare to the Georgia state average for speech-language pathologist pay? ▼
Athens's median speech-language pathologist salary of $80,361 is 3.2% below the Georgia state average of $83,040. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Athens, GA? ▼
Athens has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a speech-language pathologist salary of $80,361 in Athens has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a speech-language pathologist in Athens? ▼
Most speech-language pathologist positions in Athens require a master's degree. Key skills include Speech Assessment, Language Therapy, Swallowing Therapy, AAC Devices. The job market is projected to grow 19% nationally over the next decade.