Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Washington, DC
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $99,960 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,624 take-home, or $6,135 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,161
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,198
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,449
- District of Columbia income tax$5,528
- Take-home pay$73,624
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,800 | $35.00 | $56,759 | $4,730 |
| 25th percentile | $77,830 | $37.42 | $59,936 | $4,995 |
| Median (50th) | $99,960 | $48.06 | $73,624 | $6,135 |
| 75th percentile | $129,700 | $62.36 | $91,860 | $7,655 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,830 | $65.30 | $95,529 | $7,961 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,960 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $73,624 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,617 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #60 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 |
| 60 | Washington, DC | $99,960 | $73,624 | $67,617 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Washington, DC?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $99,960 a year, or about $48.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,830 and $129,700.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $99,960 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $73,624 a year ($6,135 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,528 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,617 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #60 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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