Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in 2026
Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. They develop treatment plans for speech, language, and cognitive-communication issues.
Median Salary
$81,000
$6,750/mo
Entry Level
$60,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$110,000
experienced
Job Growth
+19%
10-yr outlook
Speech-Language Pathologist Overview
Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. They develop treatment plans for speech, language, and cognitive-communication issues.
Education
Master's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
165K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$38.94/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,750
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Speech-Language Pathologist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Speech-Language Pathologist Salary
$93,000
$7,750/month · $3,577/biweekly · $44.71/hr
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Speech-Language Pathologist field.
Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists earn around $60,000, while the top 10% earn $118,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Speech-Language Pathologists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $96,000 | +$15,000 |
| New York | $93,000 | +$12,000 |
| Illinois | $84,000 | +$3,000 |
| Texas | $79,000 | $-2,000 |
| Florida | $79,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $96,000 | +$15,000 |
| Los Angeles | $91,000 | +$10,000 |
| Chicago | $85,000 | +$4,000 |
| Miami | $83,000 | +$2,000 |
| Houston | $80,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Speech-Language Pathologist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Speech-Language Pathologist from entry level to expert.
$60,000
0-2 years
$85,000
3-7 years
$110,000
8-14 years
$126,000
15+ years
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Speech-Language Pathologist Salary FAQ
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