Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Denver, CO
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $112,090 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $83,462 take-home, or $6,955 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,830
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,950
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,625
- Colorado income tax$4,224
- Take-home pay$83,462
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,900 | $35.53 | $58,275 | $4,856 |
| 25th percentile | $94,100 | $45.24 | $71,597 | $5,966 |
| Median (50th) | $112,090 | $53.89 | $83,462 | $6,955 |
| 75th percentile | $141,970 | $68.25 | $102,764 | $8,564 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,720 | $76.31 | $113,476 | $9,456 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $112,090 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $83,462 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,900 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO has 1.3× 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
Denver, CO ranks #3 of 14 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $100,400 | $79,461 | $80,566 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $112,090 | $83,462 | $78,900 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $99,540 | $78,856 | $76,493 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $102,860 | $76,476 | $76,432 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $100,080 | $76,164 | $74,267 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $98,040 | $75,559 | $73,134 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $98,490 | $73,387 | $70,841 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 14 metros →
About the job: speech-language pathologists
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +16.6% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Denver, CO?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $112,090 a year, or about $53.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $94,100 and $141,970.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $112,090 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $83,462 a year ($6,955 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,224 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,900 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #3 of 14 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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