Speech pathologists, also known as speech-language pathologists (SLPs), earn varying salaries depending on factors such as experience, work setting, and geographic location.
Average Salary
- The average annual salary for speech pathologists in the U.S. is around $81,000 to $89,000, with hourly wages near $39 to $43
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual wage of approximately $84,000 to $89,000 as of recent years
- Entry-level SLPs with 1 to 3 years of experience typically earn about $66,000 to $72,000 annually, while those with extensive experience (over 20 years) can make $90,000 to $100,000 or more
Salary by Experience
- 0–1 years: Around $88,700 to $89,000
- 1–3 years: $66,000 to $94,500
- 4–6 years: $72,000 to $97,700
- 7–9 years: About $78,000 to $96,700
- 10–14 years: Around $94,000
- 15+ years: Up to $97,000 or higher
- Top 10% of earners make over $120,000, with some reaching nearly $130,000 annually
Salary by Work Environment
- Nursing and residential care facilities: Approximately $95,000 to $105,000 per year
- Hospitals: Around $87,000 to $100,000
- Private practice or outpatient clinics: $73,000 to $95,000
- Educational services (schools): $71,000 to $80,000, generally the lowest paying sector
Salary by Location
- Salaries vary significantly by state and city. Higher-paying states include California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Hawaii, where average salaries exceed $100,000 annually
- For example, California averages about $104,000 to $112,000, New York around $93,000 to $168,000 depending on city, and New Jersey about $102,000
- Metropolitan areas tend to offer higher salaries compared to nonmetropolitan regions.
Summary
Speech pathologists earn a median salary in the mid-$80,000s to high $80,000s annually, with potential to exceed $120,000 for experienced or specialized practitioners in high-paying locations or settings. Entry-level salaries start in the mid-$60,000s, and work environment and geography are key factors influencing pay. This career offers flexibility in work settings and good growth potential in salary with experience and specialization.
