Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in California
The median pay for a speech-language pathologists in California is $116,000/year ($55.77/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $116K get you in California?
About speech-language pathologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level speech-language pathologists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $116K.Top earners bring in $154K or more - a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Speech-Language Pathologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $116K | +22% | 14,680 |
| New York | $109K | +14% | 16,250 |
| Hawaii | $108K | +13% | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $107K | +12% | 410 |
| New Mexico | $105K | +10% | 1,040 |
| Oregon | $104K | +9% | 1,750 |
| Washington | $102K | +7% | 3,170 |
| Massachusetts | $102K | +7% | 5,000 |
| New Jersey | $102K | +6% | 7,660 |
| Delaware | $101K | +6% | N/A |
| Nevada | $101K | +6% | 1,170 |
| Rhode Island | $101K | +6% | 810 |
| Maryland | $101K | +5% | 3,720 |
| Connecticut | $101K | +5% | 2,160 |
| Alaska | $100K | +5% | 330 |
Track speech-language pathologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in California?
The median is $116,000 a year - that works out to about $55.77 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,150, and experienced speech-language pathologists can clear $153,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $116K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,922/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 31.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a speech-language pathologists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median speech-language pathologists salary is worth about $116,000 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do speech-language pathologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.