Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median $65,020 a year — 34% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,859 take-home, or $4,405 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Baton Rouge, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,622
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,031
- Medicare (1.45%)$943
- Louisiana income tax$1,564
- Take-home pay$52,859
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Baton Rouge, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,770 | $25.85 | $44,157 | $3,680 |
| 25th percentile | $60,480 | $29.08 | $49,348 | $4,112 |
| Median (50th) | $65,020 | $31.26 | $52,859 | $4,405 |
| 75th percentile | $83,970 | $40.37 | $65,770 | $5,481 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,010 | $50.49 | $79,940 | $6,662 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,020 buys in Baton Rouge, LA
Prices in Baton Rouge, LA are 9.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 26% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $52,859 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,228 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baton Rouge, LA has 1.3× the national concentration of speech-language pathologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
Baton Rouge, LA ranks #71 of 71 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Paso, TX | $99,430 | $78,779 | $87,618 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $103,420 | $78,084 | $83,894 |
| 4 | McAllen, TX | $89,860 | $72,047 | $83,877 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $132,720 | $92,141 | $83,444 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $126,360 | $88,468 | $82,937 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $104,510 | $82,353 | $82,176 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $98,900 | $76,469 | $81,416 |
| 71 | Baton Rouge, LA | $65,020 | $52,859 | $58,228 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA — $77,420
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $65,020 a year, or about $31.26 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,480 and $83,970.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Baton Rouge, LA?
On the median $65,020 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $52,859 a year ($4,405 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,564 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 34% below the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,228 would in a typical U.S. city. Baton Rouge, LA ranks #71 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Baton Rouge, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baton Rouge, LA is $1,048 a month ($1,187 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $134,680
- Nurse Practitioner — $129,070
- Physical Therapist — $98,920
- Registered Nurse — $81,130
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other — $64,360
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $63,450
- Surgical Technologist — $60,230
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $59,700
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $52,700
- Medical Records Specialist — $46,610
- Pharmacy Technician — $45,550