📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$98,170
per year
Median
$97,870
per year
Hourly
$47.2
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$66,463
25th Percentile — Junior$80,715
50th Percentile — Median$97,870
75th Percentile — Senior$112,782
90th Percentile — Top Earners$123,427
💡 The top 10% of Speech-Language Pathologistss earn $123,427 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $66,463, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$79.9k
2021
$83.3k
2022
$86.8k
2023
$90.4k
2024
$94.2k
2025
$98.2k
2026
📈 Speech-Language Pathologists salaries have grown 4.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $18,253.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $152,164 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $149,218 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $139,401 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $135,475 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $129,584 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $127,621 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $125,658 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $122,712 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $119,767 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $112,895 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $112,895 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $111,914 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $109,950 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $107,987 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $107,987 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $106,024 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $103,078 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $103,078 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $100,133 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $100,133 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $98,170 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $98,170 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $97,188 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $97,188 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $96,207 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $93,262 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $93,262 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $91,298 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $91,298 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $91,298 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $90,316 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $90,316 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $89,335 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $88,353 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $86,390 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $86,390 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $86,390 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $86,390 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $86,390 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $86,390 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $85,408 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $85,408 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $85,408 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $84,426 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $83,444 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $83,444 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $82,463 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $81,481 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $81,481 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $78,536 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $76,573 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Speech-Language Pathologists Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Speech-Language Pathologists's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologistss typically earn $66,463–$80,715 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $112,782–$123,427 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 a Speech-Language Pathologists?The average salary for a Speech-Language Pathologists in the United States is $98,170 per year, with a median of $97,870.
-
What is the starting salary for a Speech-Language Pathologists?Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologistss typically earn between $66,463 and $80,715 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Speech-Language Pathologistss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Speech-Language Pathologistss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Speech-Language Pathologists make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $98,170, a Speech-Language Pathologists earns approximately $47.2 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Speech-Language Pathologists a good career in 2026?Yes — the Speech-Language Pathologists role has medium demand with 4.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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