Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Buffalo, NY
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median $82,890 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,264 take-home, or $5,272 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Buffalo, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,406
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,139
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,202
- New York income tax$3,879
- Take-home pay$63,264
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Buffalo, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,280 | $24.65 | $41,211 | $3,434 |
| 25th percentile | $63,530 | $30.54 | $50,393 | $4,199 |
| Median (50th) | $82,890 | $39.85 | $63,264 | $5,272 |
| 75th percentile | $102,450 | $49.25 | $75,899 | $6,325 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,390 | $55.96 | $84,884 | $7,074 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,890 buys in Buffalo, NY
Prices in Buffalo, NY are 4.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $63,264 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,007 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Buffalo, NY has 1.4× the national concentration of speech-language pathologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
Buffalo, NY ranks #65 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 |
| 65 | Buffalo, NY | $82,890 | $63,264 | $66,007 |
*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 New York
- New York, NY — $107,860
- Syracuse, NY — $85,120
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $96,540
- Rochester, NY — $80,220
- Albany, NY — $82,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Buffalo, NY?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $82,890 a year, or about $39.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,530 and $102,450.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Buffalo, NY?
On the median $82,890 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $63,264 a year ($5,272 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,879 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,007 would in a typical U.S. city. Buffalo, NY ranks #65 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Buffalo, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Buffalo, NY is $1,139 a month ($1,343 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Pharmacist — $137,900
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,220
- Physician Assistant — $126,360
- Physicians, All Other — $108,510
- Registered Nurse — $99,060
- Physical Therapist — $95,800
- Respiratory Therapist — $86,720
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $83,090
- Dental Hygienist — $82,470
- Occupational Therapist — $81,560
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $78,050
- Surgical Technologist — $77,440