Salary distribution
Where Kentucky speech-language pathologists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $67,140 and $102,190, with a median of $82,910.
Speech-Language Pathologists pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
Internship/residency
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Written Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Speech Recognition
Ability
- 4.2 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
- 02
Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- 03
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- 04
Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- 05
Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
- 06
Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
- 07
Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
- 08
Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+15.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for speech-language pathologists in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$98,120
Compare Speech-Language Pathologists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kentucky is $82,910.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Speech-Language Pathologists?
- The Kentucky median is -11.7% versus the BLS national figure of $93,891.
- What is the salary range for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $61,080 and the 90th-percentile at $113,410, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Speech-Language Pathologists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 15.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Speech-Language Pathologists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.