Speech-Language Pathologists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$79,750
- 25th Percentile — Junior$98,920
- 50th Percentile — Median$118,970
- 75th Percentile — Senior$135,070
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$160,900
Half of Speech-Language Pathologists in California earn more than $118,970. The top 10% make $160,900 or more, while entry-level workers start around $79,750.
Speech-Language Pathologists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 51 states for Speech-Language Pathologists pay, at $118,600 per year (20.8% above the U.S. average of $98,170).
- 16,930 people work as Speech-Language Pathologists in California — 9.2% of all U.S. Speech-Language Pathologists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.79: Speech-Language Pathologists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $79,750; the top 10% earn over $160,900.
- Hourly equivalent: $57.02 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among healthcare jobs in California, Psychiatrists pays the most ($315,380).
Speech-Language Pathologists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Speech-Language Pathologists here earn $118,600 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $118,600 is roughly equivalent to $83,521 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Colorado ($116,960), District of Columbia ($112,940), New Jersey ($109,510) are the closest alternatives for Speech-Language Pathologists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Healthcare Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Psychiatrists $315,380/yr California +165.9% vs this role
- Radiologists $309,990/yr California +161.4% vs this role
- Nurse Anesthetists $283,780/yr California +139.3% vs this role
- General Internal Medicine Physicians $273,270/yr California +130.4% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $272,520/yr California +129.8% vs this role
- Surgeons All Other $255,620/yr California +115.5% vs this role
- Family Medicine Physicians $252,930/yr California +113.3% vs this role
- Physicians All Other $249,620/yr California +110.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Speech-Language Pathologists salary in California?
The average Speech-Language Pathologists salary in California is $118,600 per year (median $118,970), which is 20.8% above the national average of $98,170.
How does California rank for Speech-Language Pathologists pay?
California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($118,600/yr).
How much do entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Speech-Language Pathologists in California earn about $79,750 per year and the 25th percentile is $98,920.
How much do Speech-Language Pathologists make per hour in California?
About $57.02 per hour, based on the $118,600 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Speech-Language Pathologists work in California?
BLS counts 16,930 Speech-Language Pathologists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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