Speech-Language Pathologists
SOC 29-1127 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Speech-Language Pathologists is $89,290, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $92,630, and an estimated 172,100 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +10.9% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -5.8% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 15% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Speech-Language Pathologists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $89,290 | $89,290 | 172,100 |
| 2022 | $84,140 | $87,604 | 162,760 |
| 2021 | $79,060 | $88,902 | 147,470 |
| 2020 | $80,480 | $94,750 | 148,450 |
Nominal change
+10.9%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-5.8%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+15%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
187,400
Projected 2034
215,500
Annual Openings
13,300
Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Speech-Language Pathologists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $89,290. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $112,620 | +26.1% | 420 |
| California | $109,470 | +22.6% | 17,270 |
| Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $107,630 | +20.5% | 90 |
| Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $106,990 | +19.8% | 70 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $105,330 | +18% | 140 |
| Colorado | $105,040 | +17.6% | 4,070 |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $104,090 | +16.6% | 60 |
| Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $104,000 | +16.5% | 170 |
| Hawaii | $103,890 | +16.4% | 130 |
| New Mexico | $102,890 | +15.2% | 1,060 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$57,910
25th Pct
$71,140
Median
$89,290
75th Pct
$107,710
90th Pct
$129,930
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRISTINE REHAB CARE, LLC | CA | 12 | $79,685 |
| The Stepping Stones Group LLC | CA | 9 | $92,352 |
| BMR Health Services, Inc. | CA | 7 | $96,782 |
| JSN HEALTHCARE, INC | CA | 4 | $95,680 |
| EDTHEORY, LLC | CA | 3 | $101,670 |
| PRISTINE REHAB CARE, LLC | WA | 3 | $69,202 |
| The Stepping Stones Group LLC | TX | 3 | $61,194 |
| San Jose Unified School District | CA | 2 | $112,165 |
| A-1 REHAB & RECRUITMENT SERVICES, INC. | CA | 2 | $91,686 |
| Ascend Rehab Services, Inc | CA | 2 | $109,242 |
| The Speech Pathology Group, Inc. | CA | 2 | $94,607 |
| The Stepping Stones Group LLC | AZ | 2 | $81,806 |
| MHH Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology Therapy Services PLLC | NY | 2 | $108,160 |
| The Stepping Stones Group LLC | MI | 1 | $62,712 |
| SpEd Therapy Services, Inc. | CA | 1 | $96,782 |
| Kennedy Krieger Institute | MD | 1 | $75,194 |
| FRIENDSHIP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | DC | 1 | $84,140 |
| St. Louis Children's Hopsital | MO | 1 | $70,000 |
| The Stepping Stones Group LLC | NJ | 1 | $91,395 |
| PRISTINE REHAB CARE, LLC | MS | 1 | $60,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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