Online Communication Disorders Degree in Texas: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Texas employs about 19,120 speech-language pathologists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state licensing board for current SLP requirements. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare communication disorders programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Texas

The bachelor’s is the first stage of a two-stage credential: clinical practice as a speech-language pathologist requires a graduate degree and state licensure the undergraduate degree does not confer. Requirements are set state by state and change.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state licensing board for current SLP requirements that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 174 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX 39.8 miles away BOC Score 84.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 88.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 967
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $79,115 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

University of Houston

Houston, TX 150.0 miles away BOC Score 73.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 64.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 18
  • Annual completions: 2009
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $68,091 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Baylor University

Waco, TX 54.9 miles away BOC Score 70.3
Tuition $58,100 - $74,226
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Key stats
  • Admission rate: 51.3%
  • Graduation rate: 80.1%
  • Programs offered: 15
  • Annual completions: 906
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $69,608 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX 69.6 miles away BOC Score 64.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 55.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 24
  • Annual completions: 1353
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,786 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

The University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, TX 168.0 miles away BOC Score 62.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 50.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 18
  • Annual completions: 441
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $68,633 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX 167.4 miles away BOC Score 61.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 46.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 522
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $64,179 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX 105.0 miles away BOC Score 51.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 49.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 22
  • Annual completions: 624
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,758 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Hardin-Simmons University

Abilene, TX 173.8 miles away BOC Score 48.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 82
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,769 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Schreiner University

Kerrville, TX 111.1 miles away BOC Score 46.0
Tuition $39,266 - $48,004
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 88.2%
  • Graduation rate: 43.4%
  • Programs offered: 12
  • Annual completions: 51
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,631 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX 114.7 miles away BOC Score 41.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 44.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 112
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,876 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Speech-Language Pathologists Earn in Texas

Speech-Language Pathologists in Texas earn a median $99,910 per year, above the national median of $97,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Communication Disorders Pay and Employment in Texas at a Glance

MetricTexasNationalSource
Median annual wage$99,910$97,870BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$66,370$62,900BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$79,230$77,730BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$118,490$114,570BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$132,990$134,160BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment19,120183,390BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient1.151.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state15.0%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Texas Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Texas median of $99,910 sits above the national median of $97,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 1.15 puts Texas well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Texas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Sherman$115,940110
Austin$106,2902,860
Brownsville$100,940270
Houston$100,4003,780
Texarkana$99,990110
Wichita Falls$99,59090
Dallas$99,5404,800
El Paso$99,430620
Odessa$98,92070
Tyler$97,860170

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Speech-language pathology employment follows schools and health systems, which puts real hiring in every market, not just the biggest metros.

Speech-Language Pathologists Wages by Metro Area in Texas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), speech-language pathologists wages in Texas vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington4,800$99,540$100,090$69,960$131,400
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands3,780$100,400$100,160$69,650$135,580
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos2,860$106,290$106,310$77,120$126,250
San Antonio-New Braunfels1,780$92,700$95,830$64,540$131,680
El Paso620$99,430$100,760$66,450$134,260
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission480$89,860$94,630$62,670$133,210
Corpus Christi370$87,570$94,030$61,420$128,950
Brownsville-Harlingen270$100,940$103,370$66,720$132,610
Killeen-Temple270$90,310$92,510$62,380$125,370
Lubbock260$79,570$89,750$62,440$129,480
Beaumont-Port Arthur210$91,860$95,270$63,050$136,130
Amarillo190$85,160$92,370$61,840$132,620
Waco190$90,220$96,200$63,080$134,320
Longview170$86,180$92,990$60,790$132,760
Tyler170$97,860$99,910$72,990$135,250
Abilene140$80,870$86,900$60,600$122,930
College Station-Bryan140$79,940$90,970$62,430$122,890
Victoria140$95,950$98,800$79,790$133,440
Laredo130$96,340$99,920$70,700$132,000
Sherman-Denison110$115,940$117,680$64,110$154,310
Texarkana110$99,990$103,500$67,410$145,780
Wichita Falls90$99,590$104,970$69,050$148,100
Midland80$81,100$96,800$69,390$132,070
San Angelo80$78,880$87,650$61,120$124,800
Odessa70$98,920$103,870$82,580$125,120

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Texas Metro Areas With Published Data

Abilene * Amarillo * Austin * Beaumont * Brownsville * College Station * Corpus Christi * Dallas * El Paso * Houston * Killeen * Laredo * Longview * Lubbock * McAllen * San Antonio * Sherman * Texarkana * Tyler * Victoria * Waco


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do speech-language pathologists make in Texas?

The median annual wage for speech-language pathologists in Texas is $99,910, above the national median of $97,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $79,230 at the 25th percentile to $118,490 at the 75th.

How many speech-language pathologists work in Texas?

Texas holds about 19,120 speech-language pathologist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 183,390, and BLS projects about 13,300 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a speech-language pathologist in Texas?

The bachelor's is the first stage of a two-stage credential: clinical practice as a speech-language pathologist requires a graduate degree and state licensure the undergraduate degree does not confer. Requirements are set state by state and change. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state licensing board for current SLP requirements before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a communication sciences and disorders bachelor's online while working in Texas?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state licensing board for current SLP requirements.

What is the highest-paying area of Texas for speech-language pathologists?

Among Texas metro areas with published data, Sherman reports the highest median at $115,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Texas a good state for speech-language pathologists?

On pay, the state median of $99,910 sits above the national $97,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.15 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.