Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Speech-Language Pathologists Make?
Speech-Language Pathologists earn a median annual salary of $95,410 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $60,480 at the 10th percentile to $132,850 at the 90th percentile — a range of $72,370. The highest-paying state is California at $116,000.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,480 |
| 25th percentile | $75,310 |
| Median (50th) | $95,410 |
| 75th percentile | $112,510 |
| 90th percentile | $132,850 |
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $116,000 |
| New York | $108,870 |
| Hawaii | $108,230 |
| Colorado | $108,070 |
| District of Columbia | $106,950 |
| New Mexico | $104,910 |
| Oregon | $104,230 |
| Washington | $102,450 |
| Massachusetts | $101,790 |
| New Jersey | $101,600 |
| Delaware | $101,030 |
| Nevada | $100,840 |
| Rhode Island | $100,680 |
| Maryland | $100,560 |
| Connecticut | $100,550 |
| Alaska | $100,180 |
| Georgia | $99,100 |
| Florida | $97,150 |
| Arizona | $95,990 |
| Virginia | $94,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,800 |
| South Carolina | $91,880 |
| Texas | $89,450 |
| Ohio | $88,340 |
| North Carolina | $87,420 |
| Wyoming | $85,820 |
| Utah | $85,320 |
| Indiana | $84,330 |
| Oklahoma | $84,310 |
| Missouri | $83,950 |
| New Hampshire | $83,800 |
| Tennessee | $82,990 |
| Kentucky | $82,910 |
| Illinois | $82,480 |
| Minnesota | $82,450 |
| Michigan | $81,860 |
| Nebraska | $81,710 |
| Maine | $81,700 |
| Kansas | $81,360 |
| Iowa | $81,120 |
| Wisconsin | $80,580 |
| Montana | $80,330 |
| West Virginia | $80,170 |
| Arkansas | $79,800 |
| Vermont | $78,580 |
| Idaho | $78,450 |
| Mississippi | $75,790 |
| Alabama | $72,560 |
| North Dakota | $67,330 |
| Louisiana | $65,770 |
| South Dakota | $63,180 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$60,480 – $75,310 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$95,410 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$112,510 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $132,850+ |
How to Earn More as a Speech-Language Pathologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Speech-Language Pathologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $135,860 — $40,450 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($112,510) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Speech-Language Pathologist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologistthis career | $95,410 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $95,830 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologist | $117,580 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $63,780 |
| Mental Health Counselor | N/A |
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SOC: 29-1127.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.