Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,900
- 25th Percentile — Junior$77,730
- 50th Percentile — Median$97,870
- 75th Percentile — Senior$114,570
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$134,160
The top 10% of Speech-Language Pathologists earn $134,160 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $62,900, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $118,600 | +20.8% |
| Colorado | $116,960 | +19.1% |
| District of Columbia | $112,940 | +15.0% |
| New Jersey | $109,510 | +11.6% |
| New York | $107,700 | +9.7% |
| Washington | $107,610 | +9.6% |
| Oregon | $106,210 | +8.2% |
| Delaware | $105,380 | +7.3% |
| Nevada | $103,870 | +5.8% |
| Rhode Island | $103,850 | +5.8% |
| New Mexico | $102,370 | +4.3% |
| Massachusetts | $101,890 | +3.8% |
| Connecticut | $101,340 | +3.2% |
| Alaska | $100,320 | +2.2% |
| Arizona | $100,270 | +2.1% |
| Virginia | $99,590 | +1.4% |
| Texas | $99,460 | +1.3% |
| Maryland | $98,070 | -0.1% |
| Florida | $96,710 | -1.5% |
| Pennsylvania | $93,720 | -4.5% |
| Georgia | $93,470 | -4.8% |
| Ohio | $93,140 | -5.1% |
| Illinois | $92,660 | -5.6% |
| Indiana | $92,290 | -6.0% |
| Hawaii | $91,660 | -6.6% |
| Utah | $90,630 | -7.7% |
| Arkansas | $90,490 | -7.8% |
| South Carolina | $89,950 | -8.4% |
| Wyoming | $89,350 | -9.0% |
| Kentucky | $89,180 | -9.2% |
| Missouri | $89,040 | -9.3% |
| Michigan | $88,650 | -9.7% |
| North Carolina | $88,640 | -9.7% |
| New Hampshire | $88,460 | -9.9% |
| West Virginia | $88,180 | -10.2% |
| Minnesota | $87,670 | -10.7% |
| Oklahoma | $87,230 | -11.1% |
| Idaho | $87,060 | -11.3% |
| Nebraska | $87,030 | -11.3% |
| Vermont | $86,040 | -12.4% |
| Wisconsin | $85,550 | -12.9% |
| Tennessee | $85,050 | -13.4% |
| Iowa | $83,760 | -14.7% |
| Maine | $83,690 | -14.7% |
| Kansas | $82,760 | -15.7% |
| Montana | $80,780 | -17.7% |
| Alabama | $78,780 | -19.8% |
| Mississippi | $78,570 | -20.0% |
| Louisiana | $77,000 | -21.6% |
| North Dakota | $75,980 | -22.6% |
| South Dakota | $73,310 | -25.3% |
What Factors Affect Speech-Language Pathologists Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
Pay for Speech-Language Pathologists is influenced by geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. Location alone is a large factor: California pays an average of $118,600, while South Dakota pays $73,310 — a gap of $45,290 per year.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists typically earn $62,900–$77,730 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $114,570–$134,160 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Speech-Language Pathologists role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 4.2% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Healthcare sector.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average salary for Speech-Language Pathologists?
The average salary for Speech-Language Pathologists in the United States is $98,170 per year, with a median of $97,870.
What is the starting salary for Speech-Language Pathologists?
Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists typically earn between $62,900 and $77,730 per year depending on location and employer.
What state pays Speech-Language Pathologists the most?
California pays Speech-Language Pathologists the most at $118,600 per year on average, followed by Colorado ($116,960) and District of Columbia ($112,940).
How much do Speech-Language Pathologists make per hour?
Based on the average annual salary of $98,170, Speech-Language Pathologists earn approximately $47.2 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
Is Speech-Language Pathologists a good career in 2026?
BLS counts 183,390 Speech-Language Pathologists jobs in the United States, with a mean annual wage of $98,170 and a median of $97,870 (OEWS May 2025). This site does not publish job-growth projections; the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook covers the outlook for each occupation.
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