SOC 291127

Speech-Language Pathologists

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

National Median

$95,410

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$95,410

Entry Level (10th pct)

$60,480

Experienced (90th pct)

$132,850

Total Employed

178,790

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience LevelEstimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience$60,480 - $75,310
Mid Career2-8 years experience$75,310 - $112,510
Senior / Expert8+ years experience$112,510 - $132,850

Highest Paying Locations for Speech-Language Pathologists

Speech-Language Pathologists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan AreaMedian SalaryEmployed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$135,860630
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$130,2701,930
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$128,700160
Boulder, CO$126,890330
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$126,33016,820
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$124,190410
Salinas, CA$124,050150
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$123,560130
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$122,490750
El Centro, CA$122,10040
Merced, CA$119,43080
Yuba City, CA$118,89050
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area$117,37030
Stockton-Lodi, CA$116,590330
California$116,00014,680
Chico, CA$115,870100
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$115,3901,800
Sherman-Denison, TX$112,52090
Vallejo, CA$112,520140
Modesto, CA$112,320140
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$111,5302,200
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$109,450110
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$109,1704,370
New York$108,87016,250
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA$108,63090
Fresno, CA$108,500570
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area$108,29070
Hawaii$108,230130
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area$108,190180
Colorado$108,0704,260
Urban Honolulu, HI$107,920110
Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area$107,530110
Santa Fe, NM$107,35040
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$107,1801,560
District of Columbia$106,950410
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$106,9201,280
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area$106,740120
Grand Junction, CO$106,500110
Bend, OR$106,11090
Bakersfield-Delano, CA$105,830280
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA$105,71060
Las Cruces, NM$105,500180
Casper, WY$105,26040
Pueblo, CO$105,10090
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$104,9401,780
New Mexico$104,9101,040
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA$104,78050
Colorado Springs, CO$104,600690
Albuquerque, NM$104,600510
Fairbanks-College, AK$104,56040

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Speech-Language Pathologists?
The national median annual salary for Speech-Language Pathologists is $95,410, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.
Where do Speech-Language Pathologistss earn the most?
The highest-paying metro area for Speech-Language Pathologistss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $135,860.
How much can an experienced Speech-Language Pathologists make?
Top-earning Speech-Language Pathologistss (90th percentile) make $132,850 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.