How much does a speech-language pathologist make?
The median speech-language pathologist in the United States earns $97,870 per year, about $47.05 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all speech-language pathologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1127.
Speech-language pathologist salary range
Pay for speech-language pathologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $62,900 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $134,160. The average (mean) wage of $98,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,900 | $30.24 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $77,730 | $37.37 | |
| Median (50th) | $97,870 | $47.05 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $114,570 | $55.08 | |
| 90th percentile | $134,160 | $64.50 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Speech-language pathologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Speech-language pathologists earn the most in California at $118,970 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $65,680. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $118,970 | 16,930 |
| Colorado | $110,750 | 4,420 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 | 390 |
| Washington | $105,550 | 3,570 |
| Nevada | $104,510 | 1,270 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 | 720 |
| Delaware | $102,760 | 690 |
| Alaska | $102,670 | 340 |
| Oregon | $102,660 | 1,600 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 | 6,840 |
| Massachusetts | $101,310 | 5,290 |
| New York | $100,610 | 15,310 |
| Connecticut | $100,110 | 2,390 |
| Florida | $99,990 | 10,080 |
| Texas | $99,910 | 19,120 |
| Maryland | $99,190 | 3,510 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 | 1,250 |
| Arizona | $97,800 | 3,390 |
| Hawaii | $97,560 | 270 |
| Georgia | $96,760 | 4,030 |
| Virginia | $96,250 | 4,460 |
| Illinois | $95,080 | 9,040 |
| Ohio | $93,300 | 7,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $92,960 | 6,570 |
| Utah | $91,560 | 1,460 |
| South Carolina | $90,530 | 2,190 |
| Minnesota | $89,380 | 3,890 |
| Missouri | $89,280 | 3,230 |
| Michigan | $89,120 | 4,730 |
| Indiana | $87,360 | 3,310 |
| North Carolina | $86,460 | 5,600 |
| Tennessee | $84,630 | 3,320 |
| Oklahoma | $84,470 | 1,870 |
| Idaho | $84,380 | 1,210 |
| Nebraska | $84,350 | 1,310 |
| Arkansas | $83,580 | 2,430 |
| Kentucky | $83,550 | 2,610 |
| New Hampshire | $83,040 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $83,000 | 2,940 |
| Maine | $82,660 | 640 |
| Vermont | $82,090 | 430 |
| Wyoming | $82,040 | 240 |
| Iowa | $81,050 | 1,540 |
| West Virginia | $80,970 | 880 |
| Kansas | $80,120 | 1,690 |
| Montana | $78,740 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $78,130 | 1,790 |
| North Dakota | $75,240 | 630 |
| Alabama | $73,660 | 2,060 |
| Louisiana | $69,610 | 3,000 |
| South Dakota | $65,680 | 410 |
State median wages for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for speech-language pathologists
The BLS projects employment of speech-language pathologists to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 193,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 225,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,500 openings a year for speech-language pathologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a speech-language pathologist
The typical entry-level education for speech-language pathologists is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a speech-language pathologist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $118,970) and the lowest (South Dakota, $65,680) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 183,390 people work as speech-language pathologists in the United States. At $97,870 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Speech-language pathologist salary FAQ
How much does a speech-language pathologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a speech-language pathologist is $47.05. The middle half of speech-language pathologists earn between $37.37 and $55.08 per hour.
What is the highest speech-language pathologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of speech-language pathologists earn more than $134,160 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a speech-language pathologist make a year?
The median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist is $97,870. The average (mean) wage of $98,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a speech-language pathologist a well paid job?
At $97,870 a year, a speech-language pathologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 183,390 people work as speech-language pathologists in the United States.
Which state pays speech-language pathologists the most?
California has the highest median salary for speech-language pathologists at $118,970 a year. Colorado ($110,750) and District of Columbia ($109,380) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a speech-language pathologist a good career?
Employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a speech-language pathologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for speech-language pathologists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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