Speech-Language Pathologist Salary
by City (2026)
Diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. National median: $85K/year. See how your city compares.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary by city
Sorted by median salaryCOL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?
A $85K Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.
Try COL Calculator βSpeech-Language Pathologist Salary Guide (2026)
The national median salary for a Speech-Language Pathologist is $85,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $68,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $105,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Speech-Language Pathologists nationally earn $128,000+.
Education and requirements
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology; CCC-SLP certification. This role is 20% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.
Salary growth outlook
Speech-Language Pathologist compensation is growing at 4.2% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary FAQ
How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make?
The median Speech-Language Pathologist salary in the US is $85,000 per year β about $41/hour. Most earn between $68,000 (25th percentile) and $105,000 (75th percentile).
What is the starting salary for a Speech-Language Pathologist?
Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologist positions typically start around $68,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language Pathologists earn?
The top 10% of Speech-Language Pathologists earn $128,000 or more per year β usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.
Which city pays Speech-Language Pathologists the most?
San Francisco has the highest median Speech-Language Pathologist salary at $119K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.
Are Speech-Language Pathologist salaries going up?
Yes β Speech-Language Pathologist pay is growing about 4.2% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.