Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Boston, MA
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $102,810 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,236 take-home, or $6,353 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,788
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,374
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,491
- Massachusetts income tax$4,921
- Take-home pay$76,236
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,310 | $34.28 | $55,651 | $4,638 |
| 25th percentile | $84,100 | $40.43 | $64,009 | $5,334 |
| Median (50th) | $102,810 | $49.43 | $76,236 | $6,353 |
| 75th percentile | $120,900 | $58.13 | $88,058 | $7,338 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,950 | $62.48 | $93,809 | $7,817 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,810 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $76,236 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,416 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Speech-Language Pathologist jobs are about as common in Boston, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #50 of 71 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Paso, TX | $99,430 | $78,779 | $87,618 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $103,420 | $78,084 | $83,894 |
| 4 | McAllen, TX | $89,860 | $72,047 | $83,877 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $132,720 | $92,141 | $83,444 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $126,360 | $88,468 | $82,937 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $104,510 | $82,353 | $82,176 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $98,900 | $76,469 | $81,416 |
| 50 | Boston, MA | $102,810 | $76,236 | $70,416 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Worcester, MA — $100,130
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Boston, MA?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $102,810 a year, or about $49.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $84,100 and $120,900.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $102,810 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $76,236 a year ($6,353 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,921 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,416 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #50 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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