Speech-Language Pathologist Salary
Speech-Language Pathologists earn a median $97,870 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$97,870
$47.05 per hour
Range
$62,900 – $134,160
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
183,390
across the U.S.
▲2.6%
Pay trend: The median for speech-language pathologists in the U.S. rose from $95,410 (May 2024) to $97,870 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What speech-language pathologists do
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)
- Openings per year
- 12,500
- Self-employed
- 5%
Employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 12,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Speech-Language Pathologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$77,682
per year · effective tax rate 20.6%
$6,473Monthly
$3,237Twice a month
$2,988Every 2 weeks
$37.35Hourly
- Federal income tax$12,701
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,068
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,419
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$77,682
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,900 | $30.24 | $52,720 |
| 25th percentile | $77,730 | $37.37 | $63,513 |
| Median (50th) | $97,870 | $47.05 | $77,682 |
| 75th percentile | $114,570 | $55.08 | $89,430 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,160 | $64.50 | $102,964 |
Best cities for speech-language pathologists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 | 2,860 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $100,400 | $79,461 | $80,566 | 3,780 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $112,090 | $83,462 | $78,900 | 2,480 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $99,540 | $78,856 | $76,493 | 4,800 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $102,860 | $76,476 | $76,432 | 2,410 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $100,080 | $76,164 | $74,267 | 3,330 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $98,040 | $75,559 | $73,134 | 2,640 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $98,490 | $73,387 | $70,841 | 7,150 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $107,860 | $79,386 | $70,526 | 15,260 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $102,810 | $76,236 | $70,416 | 3,720 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $101,590 | $80,299 | $70,342 | 2,930 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $109,740 | $78,629 | $69,237 | 4,800 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $99,960 | $73,624 | $67,617 | 3,140 |
| 14 | Minneapolis, MN | $93,370 | $69,690 | $66,484 | 2,570 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Denver, CO — $112,090
- Los Angeles, CA — $109,740
- New York, NY — $107,860
- Austin, TX — $106,290
- Atlanta, GA — $102,860
- Boston, MA — $102,810
- Miami, FL — $101,590
- Houston, TX — $100,400
- Philadelphia, PA — $100,080
- Washington, DC — $99,960
- Dallas, TX — $99,540
- Chicago, IL — $98,490
- Phoenix, AZ — $98,040
- Minneapolis, MN — $93,370
Speech-Language Pathologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118,970 | +2.6% | $84,144 | $79,750 – $160,900 | 16,930 |
| Colorado | $110,750 | +2.5% | $82,578 | $73,900 – $164,520 | 4,420 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 | +2.3% | $79,450 | $81,800 – $137,140 | 390 |
| Washington | $105,550 | +3.0% | $83,084 | $81,330 – $132,630 | 3,570 |
| Nevada | $104,510 | +3.6% | $82,353 | $63,180 – $136,520 | 1,270 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 | +3.3% | $78,656 | $75,270 – $130,830 | 720 |
| Delaware | $102,760 | +1.7% | $75,681 | $79,880 – $135,200 | 690 |
| Alaska | $102,670 | +2.5% | $81,058 | $79,700 – $125,950 | 340 |
| Oregon | $102,660 | −1.5% | $72,898 | $74,410 – $143,000 | 1,600 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 | −0.0% | $75,998 | $71,620 – $167,230 | 6,840 |
| Massachusetts | $101,310 | −0.5% | $75,256 | $71,030 – $129,730 | 5,290 |
| New York | $100,610 | −7.6% | $74,713 | $64,980 – $157,920 | 15,310 |
| Connecticut | $100,110 | −0.4% | $75,326 | $65,400 – $130,290 | 2,390 |
| Florida | $99,990 | +2.9% | $79,173 | $69,970 – $122,050 | 10,080 |
| Texas | $99,910 | +11.7% | $79,117 | $66,370 – $132,990 | 19,120 |
| Maryland | $99,190 | −1.4% | $74,262 | $63,480 – $130,590 | 3,510 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 | −5.9% | $74,754 | $61,630 – $134,750 | 1,250 |
| Arizona | $97,800 | +1.9% | $75,396 | $68,990 – $130,550 | 3,390 |
| Hawaii | $97,560 | −9.9% | $71,579 | $61,000 – $120,620 | 270 |
| Georgia | $96,760 | −2.4% | $72,502 | $59,800 – $125,550 | 4,030 |
| Virginia | $96,250 | +2.0% | $71,822 | $66,890 – $132,400 | 4,460 |
| Illinois | $95,080 | +15.3% | $71,157 | $60,870 – $123,800 | 9,040 |
| Ohio | $93,300 | +5.6% | $72,683 | $61,840 – $125,330 | 7,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $92,960 | −0.9% | $71,373 | $60,650 – $130,780 | 6,570 |
| Utah | $91,560 | +7.3% | $70,088 | $56,070 – $128,490 | 1,460 |
| South Carolina | $90,530 | −1.5% | $68,243 | $56,560 – $124,070 | 2,190 |
| Minnesota | $89,380 | +8.4% | $67,154 | $62,390 – $107,820 | 3,890 |
| Missouri | $89,280 | +6.3% | $68,380 | $58,180 – $119,240 | 3,230 |
| Michigan | $89,120 | +8.9% | $67,989 | $62,430 – $108,670 | 4,730 |
| Indiana | $87,360 | +3.6% | $67,740 | $60,990 – $122,930 | 3,310 |
| North Carolina | $86,460 | −1.1% | $66,714 | $60,800 – $121,040 | 5,600 |
| Tennessee | $84,630 | +2.0% | $68,367 | $58,550 – $116,790 | 3,320 |
| Oklahoma | $84,470 | +0.2% | $64,999 | $51,230 – $127,920 | 1,870 |
| Idaho | $84,380 | +7.6% | $64,827 | $62,090 – $121,890 | 1,210 |
| Nebraska | $84,350 | +3.2% | $65,212 | $59,120 – $117,980 | 1,310 |
| Arkansas | $83,580 | +4.7% | $64,582 | $56,250 – $134,420 | 2,430 |
| Kentucky | $83,550 | +0.8% | $64,801 | $63,250 – $121,090 | 2,610 |
| New Hampshire | $83,040 | −0.9% | $67,249 | $64,030 – $119,290 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $83,000 | +3.0% | $64,202 | $61,320 – $108,360 | 2,940 |
| Maine | $82,660 | +1.2% | $62,567 | $54,010 – $108,580 | 640 |
| Vermont | $82,090 | +4.5% | $63,623 | $64,320 – $103,380 | 430 |
| Wyoming | $82,040 | −4.4% | $66,545 | $63,520 – $124,250 | 240 |
| Iowa | $81,050 | −0.1% | $63,421 | $63,270 – $106,460 | 1,540 |
| West Virginia | $80,970 | +1.0% | $62,825 | $62,690 – $125,160 | 880 |
| Kansas | $80,120 | −1.5% | $61,523 | $59,390 – $108,390 | 1,690 |
| Montana | $78,740 | −2.0% | $61,136 | $58,460 – $106,330 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $78,130 | +3.1% | $61,401 | $50,280 – $106,170 | 1,790 |
| North Dakota | $75,240 | +11.7% | $61,553 | $56,140 – $103,350 | 630 |
| Alabama | $73,660 | +1.5% | $57,232 | $58,010 – $109,300 | 2,060 |
| Louisiana | $69,610 | +5.8% | $56,099 | $53,480 – $107,650 | 3,000 |
| South Dakota | $65,680 | +4.0% | $54,954 | $54,740 – $98,810 | 410 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist | $100,330 | Master's degree | +14.8% |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | Associate's degree | +8.5% |
| Therapists, All Other | $77,930 | Bachelor's degree | +12.6% |
| Recreational Therapist | $61,960 | Bachelor's degree | +4.8% |
| Exercise Physiologist | $59,460 | Bachelor's degree | +12.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | Associate's degree | +8.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
| Audiologist | $95,780 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make?
The national median salary for speech-language pathologists is $97,870 a year ($47.05 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,900 and the top 10% earn over $134,160. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays speech-language pathologists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $118,970. After taxes and local prices, Austin, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many speech-language pathologists are there in the U.S.?
About 183,390 people work as speech-language pathologists nationwide.