Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $87,400 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,337 take-home, or $5,611 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,398
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,419
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,267
- North Carolina income tax$2,979
- Take-home pay$67,337
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,900 | $30.24 | $50,719 | $4,227 |
| 25th percentile | $71,450 | $34.35 | $56,753 | $4,729 |
| Median (50th) | $87,400 | $42.02 | $67,337 | $5,611 |
| 75th percentile | $101,140 | $48.63 | $76,455 | $6,371 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,090 | $59.66 | $91,639 | $7,637 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $87,400 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $67,337 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,602 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.2× 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
Raleigh, NC ranks #57 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 |
| 57 | Raleigh, NC | $87,400 | $67,337 | $68,602 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $90,960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Raleigh, NC?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $87,400 a year, or about $42.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,450 and $101,140.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $87,400 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $67,337 a year ($5,611 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,979 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,602 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #57 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $207,380
- Pharmacist — $133,120
- Veterinarian — $130,350
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,150
- Physician Assistant — $124,300
- Physical Therapist — $99,900
- Dental Hygienist — $98,800
- Registered Nurse — $84,830
- Occupational Therapist — $84,080
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $68,210