Florida Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Guide - 2024

Speech Pathologist Programs

by Speech Pathologist Programs Staff

Updated: February 28th, 2024

In the healthcare sector, speech-language pathologists, commonly referred to as speech therapists, are crucial. They are in charge of helping persons who experience difficulty with their speech and language, such as stuttering, vocal issues, and communication problems. Florida has a significant demand for speech-language pathologists, and they earn excellent compensation.

The average annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Florida, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $86,940 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022). This compensation is very close to the $89,460 yearly average for this profession in the nation. A speech-language pathologist’s compensation can be influenced by a variety of factors, including years of experience, educational level, and location.

In Florida, working in urban regions often pays better than working in rural areas for speech-language pathologists. For instance, a speech therapist’s annual income in Miami is more than 5% greater. Because of the increased cost of living in Miami, the earnings simply must be higher.

Education level has an impact on a speech-language pathologist’s income as well. Master’s degree-holding speech-language pathologists in Florida often make more money than their lower-degree counterparts. Additionally, speech therapists may make more money if they hold certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

A speech-language pathologist’s income is also influenced by years of experience. Speech therapists in Florida with five to ten years of experience often make more money than those with one to five years of expertise. Speech therapists have more prospects for development as they gain experience and hone their expertise, which can help them attract higher compensation.

Last but not least, it should be mentioned that Florida has a great demand for speech-language pathologists and that they are paid well. Factors like years of experience, educational level, and geography might have an impact on a speech therapist’s income. Speech-language pathologists will undoubtedly earn more money as long as there is a demand for them.

Florida Speech-Language Pathologist Salaries – Visualized

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Industry in Florida

Speech-Language Pathologists Salaries in urban areas of Florida

Metro Area# EmployedMean Salary
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL200$89,480
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL70$83,620
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL210$78,680
Gainesville, FL170$75,590
Homosassa Springs, FL80$74,990
Jacksonville, FL460$84,280
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL150$83,150
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL1,730$90,620
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL50$92,920
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL250$87,820
Ocala, FL120$75,630
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL1,010$81,530
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL260$68,410
Panama City, FL100$77,670
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL160$81,350
Port St. Lucie, FL130$81,160
Punta Gorda, FL40$83,450
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL60$75,190
Tallahassee, FL90$84,670
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL1,540$83,840
The Villages, FL30$86,770
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021

Speech-Language Pathologists Salaries in rural areas of Florida

Metro Area# EmployedMean Salary
North Florida nonmetropolitan area100$79,990
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021

What is it like to work as an SLP in Florida?

Although the experience can differ based on where you work, becoming a speech-language pathologist in Florida can be a pleasant and gratifying job. We’ll examine what it’s like to work as a speech therapist in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando in this post.

One of Florida’s largest cities, Miami is renowned for its multicultural population and vibrant culture. You will have the chance to deal with a diverse spectrum of clients from various cultural backgrounds as a speech-language therapist in Miami. Miami is home to numerous highly regarded healthcare facilities, so you can also have access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources. The high pay for speech-language pathologists in the city makes up for Miami’s potentially higher cost of living than other areas of Florida.

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, there lies a mid-sized city with the name of Tampa. It is well-known for its stunning beaches and outdoor recreation opportunities and has a thriving healthcare sector. You might work as a speech-language pathologist in Tampa in a range of places, such as schools, hospitals, and private offices. Despite Tampa’s lower cost of living than Miami’s, speech therapists in the area nonetheless earn respectable compensation.

With theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios, Orlando is a well-liked travel destination. You will have the chance to deal with a variety of patients in Orlando as a speech-language therapist, including both locals and visitors. Orlando is home to numerous highly regarded healthcare facilities, so you might also have access to cutting-edge resources and technology. Orlando’s cost of living is greater than Tampa’s but cheaper than Miami’s.

In conclusion, the nature of your employment as a speech-language pathologist in Florida will depend on the location. Your personal and professional objectives will determine which city—Miami, Tampa, or Orlando—is ideal for you. Each location has particular benefits and drawbacks. No matter where you work, you will have the chance to improve the lives of the people you support.