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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
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 #13 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 |
| 13 | 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 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 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 #13 of 14 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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