Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Charlotte, NC
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $90,960 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $69,700 take-home, or $5,808 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,181
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,640
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,319
- North Carolina income tax$3,121
- Take-home pay$69,700
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,230 | $28.48 | $47,917 | $3,993 |
| 25th percentile | $73,770 | $35.47 | $58,292 | $4,858 |
| Median (50th) | $90,960 | $43.73 | $69,700 | $5,808 |
| 75th percentile | $107,040 | $51.46 | $80,370 | $6,698 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,380 | $60.28 | $92,469 | $7,706 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $90,960 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $69,700 take-home pay has the buying power of $71,599 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Speech-Language Pathologist jobs are less concentrated in Charlotte, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.79), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #46 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 |
| 46 | Charlotte, NC | $90,960 | $69,700 | $71,599 |
*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 North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $87,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Charlotte, NC?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $90,960 a year, or about $43.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,770 and $107,040.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $90,960 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $69,700 a year ($5,808 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,121 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $71,599 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #46 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $189,220
- Pharmacist — $150,580
- Physician Assistant — $133,140
- Nurse Practitioner — $130,310
- Veterinarian — $129,080
- Physical Therapist — $101,060
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $98,650
- Occupational Therapist — $98,450
- Dental Hygienist — $98,390
- Registered Nurse — $90,620