Speech-language pathologist salary
BLS occupation: Speech-Language Pathologists · also called SLP, speech therapist · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $97,870 a year, US
Median hourly pay $47.05 an hour
Middle half earn $77,730–$114,570 25th to 75th percentile
Speech-language pathologists employed 183,390 +16.6% projected by 2035
How much does a speech-language pathologist make?
- The median speech-language pathologist salary in the US is $97,870 a year ($47.05 an hour): half of the 183,390 speech-language pathologists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $98,170.
- The middle half earn between $77,730 and $114,570. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $62,900 and the top 10% more than $134,160.
- That is 92% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays speech-language pathologists the most (median $118,970), followed by Colorado ($110,750) and the District of Columbia ($109,380). South Dakota pays the least ($65,680).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Colorado, where the median is worth $107,470 in typical US prices, then California and New Mexico. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 348 of the 365 metro areas with data, the median speech-language pathologist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of speech-language pathologists to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 12,500 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what speech-language pathologists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Speech-language pathologist salary range
Half of speech-language pathologists earn between $77,730 and $114,570 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $62,900
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $77,730
Median Yearly pay: $97,870
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $114,570
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $134,160
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $62,900 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $77,730 |
| Median | $97,870 |
| Top 25% earn over | $114,570 |
| Top 10% earn over | $134,160 |
Speech-language pathologist salary by state
California pays speech-language pathologists the most; South Dakota the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($97,870), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $118,970 median |
| Colorado | $110,750 median |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 median |
| Washington | $105,550 median |
| Nevada | $104,510 median |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 median |
| Delaware | $102,760 median |
| Alaska | $102,670 median |
| Oregon | $102,660 median |
| New Jersey | $101,560 median |
| Massachusetts | $101,310 median |
| New York | $100,610 median |
| Connecticut | $100,110 median |
| Florida | $99,990 median |
| Texas | $99,910 median |
| Maryland | $99,190 median |
| New Mexico | $98,690 median |
| Arizona | $97,800 median |
| Hawaii | $97,560 median |
| Georgia | $96,760 median |
| Virginia | $96,250 median |
| Illinois | $95,080 median |
| Ohio | $93,300 median |
| Pennsylvania | $92,960 median |
| Utah | $91,560 median |
| South Carolina | $90,530 median |
| Minnesota | $89,380 median |
| Missouri | $89,280 median |
| Michigan | $89,120 median |
| Indiana | $87,360 median |
| North Carolina | $86,460 median |
| Tennessee | $84,630 median |
| Oklahoma | $84,470 median |
| Idaho | $84,380 median |
| Nebraska | $84,350 median |
| Arkansas | $83,580 median |
| Kentucky | $83,550 median |
| New Hampshire | $83,040 median |
| Wisconsin | $83,000 median |
| Maine | $82,660 median |
| Vermont | $82,090 median |
| Wyoming | $82,040 median |
| Iowa | $81,050 median |
| West Virginia | $80,970 median |
| Kansas | $80,120 median |
| Montana | $78,740 median |
| Mississippi | $78,130 median |
| North Dakota | $75,240 median |
| Alabama | $73,660 median |
| Louisiana | $69,610 median |
| South Dakota | $65,680 median |
Where speech-language pathologist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Speech-language pathologists' pay goes furthest in Colorado once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $107,470 |
| California | $107,451 |
| New Mexico | $107,025 |
| Nevada | $104,532 |
| Delaware | $102,958 |
| Texas | $102,940 |
| Rhode Island | $101,682 |
| Ohio | $100,567 |
| Georgia | $100,485 |
| Alaska | $100,304 |
Speech-language pathologist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118,970 | $57.20 | $79,750 | $160,900 | 16,930 | $107,451 |
| Colorado | $110,750 | $53.25 | $73,900 | $164,520 | 4,420 | $107,470 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 | $52.59 | $81,800 | $137,140 | 390 | $99,526 |
| Washington | $105,550 | $50.75 | $81,330 | $132,630 | 3,570 | $98,633 |
| Nevada | $104,510 | $50.25 | $63,180 | $136,520 | 1,270 | $104,532 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 | $50.00 | $75,270 | $130,830 | 720 | $101,682 |
| Delaware | $102,760 | $49.40 | $79,880 | $135,200 | 690 | $102,958 |
| Alaska | $102,670 | $49.36 | $79,700 | $125,950 | 340 | $100,304 |
| Oregon | $102,660 | $49.36 | $74,410 | $143,000 | 1,600 | $99,322 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 | $48.83 | $71,620 | $167,230 | 6,840 | $93,341 |
| Massachusetts | $101,310 | $48.71 | $71,030 | $129,730 | 5,290 | $95,795 |
| New York | $100,610 | $48.37 | $64,980 | $157,920 | 15,310 | $93,226 |
| Connecticut | $100,110 | $48.13 | $65,400 | $130,290 | 2,390 | $96,622 |
| Florida | $99,990 | $48.07 | $69,970 | $122,050 | 10,080 | $96,689 |
| Texas | $99,910 | $48.03 | $66,370 | $132,990 | 19,120 | $102,940 |
| Maryland | $99,190 | $47.69 | $63,480 | $130,590 | 3,510 | $94,504 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 | $47.45 | $61,630 | $134,750 | 1,250 | $107,025 |
| Arizona | $97,800 | $47.02 | $68,990 | $130,550 | 3,390 | $97,142 |
| Hawaii | $97,560 | $46.90 | $61,000 | $120,620 | 270 | $88,730 |
| Georgia | $96,760 | $46.52 | $59,800 | $125,550 | 4,030 | $100,485 |
| Virginia | $96,250 | $46.27 | $66,890 | $132,400 | 4,460 | $95,199 |
| Illinois | $95,080 | $45.71 | $60,870 | $123,800 | 9,040 | $95,120 |
| Ohio | $93,300 | $44.86 | $61,840 | $125,330 | 7,270 | $100,567 |
| Pennsylvania | $92,960 | $44.69 | $60,650 | $130,780 | 6,570 | $95,273 |
| Utah | $91,560 | $44.02 | $56,070 | $128,490 | 1,460 | $92,612 |
| South Carolina | $90,530 | $43.52 | $56,560 | $124,070 | 2,190 | $96,566 |
| Minnesota | $89,380 | $42.97 | $62,390 | $107,820 | 3,890 | $90,630 |
| Missouri | $89,280 | $42.92 | $58,180 | $119,240 | 3,230 | $98,308 |
| Michigan | $89,120 | $42.85 | $62,430 | $108,670 | 4,730 | $92,624 |
| Indiana | $87,360 | $42.00 | $60,990 | $122,930 | 3,310 | $93,604 |
| North Carolina | $86,460 | $41.57 | $60,800 | $121,040 | 5,600 | $91,661 |
| Tennessee | $84,630 | $40.69 | $58,550 | $116,790 | 3,320 | $92,119 |
| Oklahoma | $84,470 | $40.61 | $51,230 | $127,920 | 1,870 | $96,160 |
| Idaho | $84,380 | $40.57 | $62,090 | $121,890 | 1,210 | $88,362 |
| Nebraska | $84,350 | $40.55 | $59,120 | $117,980 | 1,310 | $93,615 |
| Arkansas | $83,580 | $40.18 | $56,250 | $134,420 | 2,430 | $96,139 |
| Kentucky | $83,550 | $40.17 | $63,250 | $121,090 | 2,610 | $92,670 |
| New Hampshire | $83,040 | $39.92 | $64,030 | $119,290 | 720 | $79,720 |
| Wisconsin | $83,000 | $39.90 | $61,320 | $108,360 | 2,940 | $88,209 |
| Maine | $82,660 | $39.74 | $54,010 | $108,580 | 640 | $85,173 |
| Vermont | $82,090 | $39.47 | $64,320 | $103,380 | 430 | $83,801 |
| Wyoming | $82,040 | $39.44 | $63,520 | $124,250 | 240 | $88,509 |
| Iowa | $81,050 | $38.97 | $63,270 | $106,460 | 1,540 | $92,352 |
| West Virginia | $80,970 | $38.93 | $62,690 | $125,160 | 880 | $90,472 |
| Kansas | $80,120 | $38.52 | $59,390 | $108,390 | 1,690 | $88,955 |
| Montana | $78,740 | $37.86 | $58,460 | $106,330 | 490 | $83,195 |
| Mississippi | $78,130 | $37.56 | $50,280 | $106,170 | 1,790 | $89,853 |
| North Dakota | $75,240 | $36.17 | $56,140 | $103,350 | 630 | $84,578 |
| Alabama | $73,660 | $35.41 | $58,010 | $109,300 | 2,060 | $82,929 |
| Louisiana | $69,610 | $33.47 | $53,480 | $107,650 | 3,000 | $78,917 |
| South Dakota | $65,680 | $31.58 | $54,740 | $98,810 | 410 | $74,143 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Speech-language pathologist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes speech-language pathologist pay: 369 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- El Centro, CA $133,760
- San Jose, CA $132,720
- Boulder, CO $131,620
- San Francisco, CA $130,850
- Santa Rosa, CA $127,470
- Santa Maria, CA $126,850
- Sacramento, CA $126,360
- Vallejo, CA $124,440
- Napa, CA $123,870
- Salinas, CA $122,770
Where the pay goes furthest
- El Centro, CA $140,543
- Pueblo, CO $130,413
- Boulder, CO $125,112
- Sherman, TX $123,642
- San Jose, CA $120,192
- The Villages, FL $119,709
- Texarkana, TX $119,019
- Hanford, CA $118,638
- Sacramento, CA $118,459
- Santa Rosa, CA $118,264
All 369 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | $133,760 | 70 | $140,543 | 16% |
| San Jose, CA | $132,720 | 890 | $120,192 | 34% |
| Boulder, CO | $131,620 | 320 | $125,112 | 20% |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,850 | 1,760 | $113,179 | 32% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $127,470 | 160 | $118,264 | 25% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $126,850 | 200 | $116,592 | 31% |
| Sacramento, CA | $126,360 | 1,030 | $118,459 | 22% |
| Vallejo, CA | $124,440 | 130 | $114,713 | 24% |
| Napa, CA | $123,870 | 50 | $110,054 | 28% |
| Salinas, CA | $122,770 | 200 | $112,590 | 27% |
| Hanford, CA | $120,550 | 50 | $118,638 | 19% |
| San Diego, CA | $119,690 | 1,590 | $106,974 | 30% |
| Pueblo, CO | $119,670 | 80 | $130,413 | 13% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $118,670 | 110 | $107,984 | 35% |
| Stockton, CA | $118,660 | 310 | $112,914 | 25% |
| Riverside, CA | $118,560 | 2,120 | $111,385 | 26% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $117,350 | 310 | $116,319 | 19% |
| Modesto, CA | $116,770 | 220 | $112,162 | 21% |
| Sherman, TX | $115,940 | 110 | $123,642 | 14% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $115,560 | 100 | $106,413 | 29% |
| Oxnard, CA | $115,060 | 530 | $104,095 | 31% |
| Merced, CA | $114,220 | 100 | $116,225 | 22% |
| Denver, CO | $112,090 | 2,480 | $105,963 | 20% |
| Fresno, CA | $110,960 | 820 | $108,616 | 22% |
| Chico, CA | $110,720 | 130 | $109,410 | 17% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $110,360 | 120 | $115,589 | 19% |
| Yuba City, CA | $109,830 | 80 | $105,370 | 22% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $109,740 | 4,800 | $96,631 | 32% |
| Bend, OR | $109,560 | 100 | $105,746 | 24% |
| Casper, WY | $109,540 | 40 | $116,744 | 16% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $108,700 | 40 | $105,321 | 20% |
| Seattle, WA | $108,690 | 1,910 | $97,802 | 25% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $108,140 | 710 | $107,381 | 20% |
| New York, NY | $107,860 | 15,260 | $95,822 | 39% |
| Portland, OR | $107,650 | 1,140 | $102,114 | 20% |
| Naples, FL | $106,960 | 170 | $103,643 | 29% |
| Visalia, CA | $106,760 | 220 | $106,947 | 19% |
| Austin, TX | $106,290 | 2,860 | $108,386 | 18% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $105,950 | 80 | $103,423 | 25% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $104,510 | 960 | $104,286 | 20% |
| Albany, OR | $104,470 | 40 | $102,321 | 19% |
| Sebastian, FL | $104,460 | 70 | $106,258 | 24% |
| Bremerton, WA | $104,440 | 120 | $98,895 | 24% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $104,280 | 50 | $109,332 | 16% |
| Lancaster, PA | $103,930 | 300 | $105,774 | 18% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $103,740 | 490 | $102,847 | 19% |
| Panama City, FL | $103,560 | 110 | $106,438 | 20% |
| Yakima, WA | $103,450 | 100 | $108,274 | 16% |
| Louisville, KY | $103,420 | 710 | $111,116 | 16% |
| Kennewick, WA | $103,410 | 130 | $103,328 | 20% |
| Anchorage, AK | $103,010 | 220 | $97,714 | 22% |
| Atlanta, GA | $102,860 | 2,410 | $102,800 | 22% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $102,850 | 200 | $114,009 | 17% |
| Boston, MA | $102,810 | 3,720 | $94,961 | 35% |
| Barnstable, MA | $102,800 | 140 | $104,524 | 30% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $102,760 | – | $101,614 | 23% |
| Salem, OR | $102,360 | 120 | $98,756 | 19% |
| The Villages, FL | $102,260 | 70 | $119,709 | 20% |
| Wheeling, WV | $101,750 | 60 | $115,202 | 10% |
| Hartford, CT | $101,600 | 780 | $98,885 | 24% |
| Miami, FL | $101,590 | 2,930 | $88,993 | 31% |
| Greenville, NC | $101,580 | 240 | $114,907 | 17% |
| Olympia, WA | $101,400 | 150 | $97,810 | 24% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $101,310 | 740 | $94,803 | 34% |
| North Port, FL | $101,310 | 430 | $98,919 | 25% |
| Baltimore, MD | $101,160 | 1,830 | $96,816 | 23% |
| Brownsville, TX | $100,940 | 270 | $117,406 | 18% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $100,880 | 60 | $100,119 | 24% |
| Spokane, WA | $100,500 | 370 | $100,153 | 18% |
| Bellingham, WA | $100,460 | 90 | $97,219 | 23% |
| Lawton, OK | $100,420 | 40 | $116,848 | 13% |
| Houston, TX | $100,400 | 3,780 | $101,796 | 20% |
| Waterbury, CT | $100,170 | 260 | $100,393 | – |
| Brunswick, GA | $100,150 | 50 | $114,186 | 20% |
| Worcester, MA | $100,130 | 620 | $97,666 | 25% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $100,080 | 3,330 | $97,588 | 23% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $100,020 | 50 | $99,498 | 22% |
| Texarkana, TX | $99,990 | 110 | $119,019 | 15% |
| Washington, DC | $99,960 | 3,140 | $91,804 | 29% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $99,940 | 250 | $97,646 | 22% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $99,840 | 70 | $105,492 | 16% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $99,830 | 650 | $100,348 | 20% |
| Providence, RI | $99,720 | 1,090 | $97,983 | 26% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $99,590 | 90 | $111,258 | 16% |
| Dallas, TX | $99,540 | 4,800 | $96,556 | 20% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $99,530 | 70 | $95,836 | 21% |
| El Paso, TX | $99,430 | 620 | $110,586 | 18% |
| Redding, CA | $99,210 | 110 | $98,536 | 20% |
| Ocala, FL | $99,200 | 180 | $104,164 | 19% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $99,170 | 110 | $106,102 | 21% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $99,160 | 580 | $103,782 | 18% |
| Greeley, CO | $99,150 | 170 | $98,976 | 20% |
| Crestview, FL | $99,000 | 130 | $102,029 | 24% |
| Dover, DE | $98,930 | 120 | $101,459 | 22% |
| Odessa, TX | $98,920 | 70 | $105,351 | 19% |
| Cleveland, OH | $98,900 | 1,180 | $105,299 | 17% |
| Pensacola, FL | $98,810 | 170 | $101,119 | 21% |
| Akron, OH | $98,800 | 410 | $105,816 | 16% |
| Charleston, SC | $98,790 | 370 | $97,849 | 25% |
| Longview, WA | $98,710 | 50 | $101,194 | 17% |
| Huntington, WV | $98,700 | 200 | $111,624 | 13% |
| Chicago, IL | $98,490 | 7,150 | $95,072 | 26% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $98,040 | 2,640 | $94,893 | 21% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $97,960 | 60 | $99,183 | 24% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $97,900 | 80 | $113,734 | 12% |
| Orlando, FL | $97,900 | 1,100 | $96,531 | 24% |
| Honolulu, HI | $97,900 | 230 | $88,229 | 37% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $97,870 | 880 | $99,928 | 23% |
| Tyler, TX | $97,860 | 170 | $106,190 | 16% |
| New Haven, CT | $97,820 | 300 | $93,555 | 25% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $97,650 | 310 | $97,428 | 28% |
| Columbia, MO | $97,610 | 140 | $109,137 | 18% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $97,470 | 80 | $107,653 | 14% |
| St. George, UT | $97,390 | 70 | $100,071 | 23% |
| Logan, UT | $97,340 | 50 | $101,473 | 18% |
| Dayton, OH | $96,920 | 490 | $104,559 | 16% |
| Springfield, MA | $96,880 | 370 | $100,853 | 24% |
| Rockford, IL | $96,740 | 190 | $104,976 | 16% |
| Norwich, CT | $96,670 | 150 | $96,242 | 26% |
| Tampa, FL | $96,580 | 1,710 | $95,728 | 25% |
| Lafayette, IN | $96,570 | 90 | $103,361 | 18% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $96,540 | 550 | $88,227 | 28% |
| Columbus, OH | $96,460 | 1,390 | $101,038 | 19% |
| State College, PA | $96,460 | 40 | $99,688 | 24% |
| Florence, SC | $96,390 | 90 | $111,082 | 19% |
| York, PA | $96,380 | 190 | $100,396 | 17% |
| Laredo, TX | $96,340 | 130 | $110,792 | 14% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $96,330 | 200 | $105,798 | 18% |
| Eugene, OR | $96,260 | 160 | $94,774 | 22% |
| Gainesville, FL | $96,230 | 240 | $99,480 | 20% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $96,190 | 70 | $95,878 | 27% |
| Richmond, VA | $96,080 | 770 | $98,183 | 21% |
| Winchester, VA | $96,040 | 80 | $99,575 | 23% |
| Reno, NV | $96,020 | 240 | $95,056 | 26% |
| Allentown, PA | $95,960 | 550 | $95,991 | 23% |
| Victoria, TX | $95,950 | 140 | $106,802 | 15% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $95,930 | 1,690 | $100,587 | 19% |
| Salisbury, MD | $95,700 | 60 | $100,087 | 24% |
| Lebanon, PA | $95,680 | 40 | $102,646 | 18% |
| Tucson, AZ | $95,450 | 420 | $98,508 | 19% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $95,430 | 50 | $97,125 | 24% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $95,170 | 40 | $101,139 | 19% |
| Canton, OH | $95,030 | 290 | $106,290 | 14% |
| Deltona, FL | $94,950 | 230 | $95,555 | 22% |
| Trenton, NJ | $94,810 | 270 | $91,888 | 32% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $94,800 | 140 | $95,617 | 26% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $94,640 | 80 | $99,510 | 22% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $94,490 | 810 | $98,895 | 20% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $94,370 | 250 | $93,547 | 24% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $94,320 | 130 | $100,427 | 19% |
| Athens, GA | $93,890 | 70 | $100,586 | 23% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $93,880 | 90 | $95,510 | 23% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $93,880 | 50 | $108,680 | 13% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $93,850 | 60 | $106,633 | 16% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $93,740 | 330 | $102,488 | 19% |
| Yuma, AZ | $93,700 | 40 | $101,072 | 18% |
| Medford, OR | $93,580 | 50 | $92,258 | 24% |
| Columbus, GA | $93,540 | 140 | $104,753 | 17% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $93,410 | 120 | $104,529 | 17% |
| Clarksville, TN | $93,370 | 170 | $102,664 | 17% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $93,370 | 2,570 | $89,075 | 22% |
| Scranton, PA | $93,370 | 300 | $99,801 | 18% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $93,320 | 1,360 | $97,517 | 20% |
| Reading, PA | $92,930 | 170 | $95,745 | 20% |
| San Antonio, TX | $92,700 | 1,780 | $97,872 | 18% |
| Jackson, MI | $92,630 | 80 | $100,927 | 15% |
| Springfield, MO | $92,460 | 290 | $104,374 | 16% |
| Bloomington, IN | $91,950 | 40 | $96,704 | 23% |
| Beaumont, TX | $91,860 | 210 | $102,015 | 17% |
| Lincoln, NE | $91,860 | 220 | $100,305 | 17% |
| Roanoke, VA | $91,560 | 190 | $97,802 | 18% |
| Farmington, NM | $91,120 | 50 | $103,891 | 18% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $91,020 | 240 | $105,990 | 16% |
| Kingston, NY | $90,980 | 120 | $90,339 | 27% |
| Charlotte, NC | $90,960 | 1,260 | $93,438 | 23% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $90,930 | 90 | $90,710 | – |
| Burlington, VT | $90,330 | 140 | $89,481 | 34% |
| Killeen, TX | $90,310 | 270 | $99,098 | 17% |
| Waco, TX | $90,220 | 190 | $97,482 | 19% |
| Watertown, NY | $90,180 | 80 | $102,840 | 20% |
| McAllen, TX | $89,860 | 480 | $104,616 | 15% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $89,650 | 410 | $90,877 | 20% |
| Detroit, MI | $89,640 | 1,850 | $89,374 | 20% |
| Lansing, MI | $89,160 | 170 | $93,862 | 18% |
| Toledo, OH | $89,010 | 310 | $97,327 | 17% |
| Greenville, SC | $88,610 | 330 | $95,014 | 21% |
| Lewiston, ME | $88,610 | 60 | $93,534 | 22% |
| Vineland, NJ | $88,410 | 70 | $92,124 | 22% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $88,250 | 810 | $97,613 | 19% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $88,190 | 1,000 | $90,977 | 21% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $88,060 | 100 | $89,842 | 27% |
| Columbia, SC | $87,820 | 390 | $93,763 | 21% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $87,570 | 370 | $94,496 | 20% |
| Lexington, KY | $87,470 | 360 | $94,166 | 22% |
| Raleigh, NC | $87,400 | 1,050 | $89,041 | 23% |
| Saginaw, MI | $87,360 | 80 | $96,115 | 14% |
| Traverse City, MI | $87,160 | 100 | $93,347 | 26% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $87,150 | 80 | $91,892 | 18% |
| Portland, ME | $87,120 | 260 | $85,531 | 32% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $86,950 | 60 | $94,400 | 22% |
| Madison, WI | $86,890 | 410 | $89,313 | 25% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $86,780 | 60 | $98,842 | 14% |
| Lakeland, FL | $86,550 | 220 | $89,097 | 25% |
| St. Louis, MO | $86,480 | 1,630 | $90,947 | 20% |
| Altoona, PA | $86,470 | 100 | $96,607 | 14% |
| Provo, UT | $86,410 | 310 | $87,965 | 25% |
| Little Rock, AR | $86,380 | 810 | $96,661 | 17% |
| Grand Island, NE | $86,270 | 60 | $99,553 | 19% |
| Longview, TX | $86,180 | 170 | $96,307 | 16% |
| Hickory, NC | $86,120 | 130 | $97,326 | 22% |
| Kansas City, MO | $86,120 | 1,270 | $93,059 | 21% |
| Memphis, TN | $86,120 | 460 | $93,427 | 19% |
| Minot, ND | $85,920 | 50 | $98,727 | 17% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $85,920 | 130 | $91,754 | 24% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $85,890 | 340 | $93,315 | 21% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $85,770 | 60 | $92,514 | 23% |
| Morristown, TN | $85,750 | 40 | $99,289 | 22% |
| Williamsport, PA | $85,630 | 60 | $92,723 | 15% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $85,580 | 170 | $86,569 | 29% |
| Rome, GA | $85,440 | 50 | $94,764 | 18% |
| Flint, MI | $85,260 | 130 | $91,644 | 15% |
| Evansville, IN | $85,220 | 210 | $93,108 | 15% |
| Amarillo, TX | $85,160 | 190 | $92,747 | 18% |
| Lawrence, KS | $85,130 | 50 | $94,334 | 22% |
| Syracuse, NY | $85,120 | 490 | $88,906 | 23% |
| Asheville, NC | $85,040 | 290 | $88,119 | 24% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $85,040 | 130 | $97,042 | 17% |
| Dubuque, IA | $85,030 | 30 | $97,369 | 15% |
| Binghamton, NY | $84,460 | 170 | $90,951 | 23% |
| Boise, ID | $84,380 | 660 | $85,760 | 27% |
| Bloomington, IL | $84,330 | 130 | $90,157 | 18% |
| Erie, PA | $84,190 | 140 | $92,567 | 16% |
| Des Moines, IA | $84,080 | 380 | $91,689 | 18% |
| Johnstown, PA | $84,070 | 70 | $97,837 | 13% |
| Tulsa, OK | $83,970 | 540 | $94,122 | 20% |
| Mankato, MN | $83,920 | 60 | $92,265 | 18% |
| Nashville, TN | $83,780 | 980 | $86,965 | 26% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $83,740 | 50 | $95,186 | 14% |
| Muskegon, MI | $83,680 | 90 | $90,446 | 18% |
| Billings, MT | $83,620 | 110 | $89,408 | 20% |
| Durham, NC | $83,460 | 390 | $85,537 | 24% |
| Savannah, GA | $83,390 | 210 | $87,589 | 25% |
| Niles, MI | $83,370 | 60 | $90,257 | 20% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $83,200 | 270 | $89,876 | 18% |
| Ames, IA | $83,170 | 60 | $93,628 | 17% |
| South Bend, IN | $83,170 | 150 | $89,567 | 18% |
| Rochester, MN | $83,140 | 160 | $91,543 | 23% |
| Augusta, GA | $82,950 | 260 | $90,258 | 21% |
| Buffalo, NY | $82,890 | 850 | $86,484 | 21% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $82,870 | 140 | $91,895 | 18% |
| Omaha, NE | $82,650 | 690 | $89,924 | 20% |
| Ogden, UT | $82,640 | 430 | $82,353 | 24% |
| Utica, NY | $82,640 | 230 | $89,169 | 21% |
| Champaign, IL | $82,570 | 150 | $89,068 | 20% |
| Monroe, MI | $82,540 | 80 | $88,286 | 19% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $82,500 | 60 | $87,963 | 22% |
| Wilmington, NC | $82,410 | 300 | $85,468 | 25% |
| Springfield, IL | $82,280 | 160 | $88,716 | 18% |
| Staunton, VA | $82,280 | 60 | $90,291 | 21% |
| Albany, NY | $82,160 | 690 | $82,518 | 25% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $82,110 | 160 | $87,192 | 24% |
| Appleton, WI | $82,060 | 90 | $88,791 | 18% |
| Peoria, IL | $82,060 | 210 | $89,947 | 17% |
| Johnson City, TN | $82,050 | 140 | $93,315 | 22% |
| Springfield, OH | $82,030 | 50 | $90,659 | 18% |
| Sandusky, OH | $82,020 | 60 | $91,867 | 27% |
| Duluth, MN | $82,000 | 130 | $92,376 | 19% |
| Jackson, TN | $82,000 | 100 | $95,882 | 20% |
| Racine, WI | $81,940 | 70 | $85,389 | 21% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $81,930 | 30 | $94,101 | 16% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $81,910 | 220 | $89,054 | 21% |
| Sioux City, IA | $81,900 | 70 | $94,732 | 19% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $81,810 | 1,300 | $86,415 | 22% |
| Macon, GA | $81,780 | 100 | $92,378 | 18% |
| Manchester, NH | $81,690 | 230 | $77,316 | 32% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $81,670 | 50 | $89,118 | 17% |
| Decatur, IL | $81,600 | 50 | $92,285 | 16% |
| Ithaca, NY | $81,450 | 60 | $78,835 | 29% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $81,300 | 150 | $94,658 | 16% |
| Owensboro, KY | $81,270 | 70 | $91,717 | 18% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $81,120 | 60 | $85,510 | 21% |
| Midland, TX | $81,100 | 80 | $84,671 | 23% |
| Waterloo, IA | $81,050 | 130 | $93,100 | 15% |
| Joplin, MO | $81,040 | 80 | $94,543 | 18% |
| Abilene, TX | $80,870 | 140 | $89,494 | 30% |
| Muncie, IN | $80,860 | 40 | $91,732 | 15% |
| Green Bay, WI | $80,810 | 180 | $86,812 | 17% |
| Lima, OH | $80,810 | 80 | $90,120 | 18% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $80,510 | 440 | $88,131 | 23% |
| Rochester, NY | $80,220 | 950 | $82,671 | 23% |
| Elkhart, IN | $80,110 | 70 | $88,691 | 18% |
| Great Falls, MT | $80,110 | 40 | $82,720 | 21% |
| Gadsden, AL | $80,070 | 90 | $93,482 | 16% |
| College Station, TX | $79,940 | 140 | $87,893 | 23% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $79,720 | 60 | $84,011 | 25% |
| Lubbock, TX | $79,570 | 260 | $87,136 | 20% |
| Bay City, MI | $79,540 | 80 | $86,531 | 15% |
| Shreveport, LA | $79,460 | 210 | $93,740 | 19% |
| Helena, MT | $79,410 | 40 | $83,000 | 25% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $79,380 | 50 | $87,643 | 20% |
| Albany, GA | $79,360 | 30 | $90,522 | 16% |
| La Crosse, WI | $79,300 | 100 | $86,413 | 20% |
| Michigan City, IN | $79,250 | 30 | $86,440 | 18% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $79,240 | 90 | $89,703 | 28% |
| Youngstown, OH | $79,160 | 260 | $90,578 | 16% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $79,080 | 100 | $83,761 | 22% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $79,060 | 60 | $92,220 | 19% |
| Topeka, KS | $78,970 | 140 | $88,910 | 19% |
| Iowa City, IA | $78,960 | 100 | $86,287 | 27% |
| Kingsport, TN | $78,940 | 160 | $91,316 | 20% |
| Gulfport, MS | $78,920 | 220 | $87,683 | 22% |
| San Angelo, TX | $78,880 | 80 | $85,319 | 20% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $78,880 | 50 | $83,902 | 20% |
| Monroe, LA | $78,860 | 190 | $94,334 | 18% |
| Greensboro, NC | $78,830 | 430 | $84,887 | 21% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $78,770 | 70 | $84,764 | 19% |
| Jackson, MS | $78,670 | 410 | $88,346 | 22% |
| Kenosha, WI | $78,560 | 80 | $77,691 | – |
| Wichita, KS | $78,390 | 430 | $88,132 | 18% |
| Davenport, IA | $78,320 | 200 | $87,922 | 15% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $78,300 | 60 | $85,030 | 24% |
| Janesville, WI | $78,130 | 80 | $83,380 | 20% |
| Knoxville, TN | $78,060 | 400 | $84,326 | 27% |
| Wausau, WI | $78,030 | 60 | $84,219 | 15% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $78,000 | 70 | $88,917 | 26% |
| Mansfield, OH | $77,570 | 50 | $87,283 | 14% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,550 | 80 | $87,171 | 19% |
| Burlington, NC | $77,450 | 90 | $83,104 | 21% |
| New Orleans, LA | $77,420 | 550 | $83,610 | 24% |
| Kankakee, IL | $77,210 | 50 | $80,098 | 21% |
| Bangor, ME | $77,160 | 110 | $79,952 | 24% |
| Alexandria, LA | $77,080 | 90 | $89,956 | 16% |
| Manhattan, KS | $77,050 | 80 | $85,457 | 20% |
| Gainesville, GA | $76,980 | 50 | $79,553 | 27% |
| Bismarck, ND | $76,770 | 130 | $84,340 | 20% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $76,760 | 50 | $79,551 | 24% |
| Fargo, ND | $76,640 | 190 | $84,339 | 17% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $76,290 | 60 | $88,031 | 18% |
| Pocatello, ID | $76,140 | 110 | $85,641 | 17% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $75,840 | 100 | $81,728 | 18% |
| Birmingham, AL | $75,750 | 600 | $82,657 | 22% |
| Huntsville, AL | $74,680 | 230 | $80,239 | 22% |
| Missoula, MT | $74,160 | 70 | $76,894 | 26% |
| Auburn, AL | $74,150 | 60 | $84,326 | 26% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $74,140 | 90 | $84,603 | 21% |
| Paducah, KY | $73,900 | 70 | $85,846 | 19% |
| Florence, AL | $72,870 | 40 | $85,914 | 18% |
| Weirton, WV | $72,730 | 60 | $81,697 | 13% |
| Rapid City, SD | $71,690 | 80 | $80,406 | 24% |
| Daphne, AL | $71,200 | 80 | $75,193 | 29% |
| Morgantown, WV | $70,940 | 60 | $76,016 | 23% |
| Valdosta, GA | $70,870 | 70 | $80,287 | 23% |
| Montgomery, AL | $70,810 | 120 | $78,957 | 23% |
| Dothan, AL | $69,870 | 70 | $83,344 | 21% |
| Anniston, AL | $69,860 | 30 | $81,281 | 17% |
| Lafayette, LA | $69,610 | 200 | $79,820 | 24% |
| Mobile, AL | $69,450 | 160 | $78,833 | 22% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $68,920 | 170 | $76,045 | 22% |
| Charleston, WV | $68,510 | 110 | $77,223 | 21% |
| Cleveland, TN | $67,840 | 40 | $77,021 | 25% |
| Decatur, AL | $67,350 | 60 | $77,226 | 19% |
| Houma, LA | $67,070 | 160 | $78,810 | 23% |
| Midland, MI | $66,850 | 70 | $72,725 | 25% |
| Beckley, WV | $65,420 | 80 | $74,030 | 19% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $65,020 | 610 | $71,624 | 25% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $64,720 | 210 | $75,386 | 25% |
| Hammond, LA | $61,300 | 70 | $72,579 | 26% |
| Slidell, LA | $60,790 | 300 | $65,559 | – |
| Palm Bay, FL | $60,000 | 310 | $59,997 | 38% |
What the median speech-language pathologist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $97,870 |
| Month | $8,156 |
| Every two weeks | $3,764 |
| Week | $1,882 |
| Hour | $47.05 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a speech-language pathologist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +16.6% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 12,500 |
| Self-employed | 4.5% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| Radiology tech | $80,110 | Associate's degree |
Questions about speech-language pathologist pay
How much does a speech-language pathologist make an hour?
The median is $47.05 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $30.24 and the top 10% over $64.50.
How much does a speech-language pathologist make a month?
About $8,156 a month before taxes at the median salary of $97,870, or $3,764 every two weeks.
What state pays speech-language pathologists the most?
California, with a median of $118,970. Colorado ($110,750), the District of Columbia ($109,380), Washington ($105,550) and Nevada ($104,510) follow.
Where do speech-language pathologists make the most after cost of living?
Colorado: its median of $110,750 is worth $107,470 at typical US prices. California, New Mexico and Nevada come next.
How much do entry-level speech-language pathologists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of speech-language pathologists earn under $62,900 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $77,730, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a speech-language pathologist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: internship/residency.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1127 (Speech-Language Pathologists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.