Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in Merced, CA
The median pay for a speech-language pathologists in Merced, CA is $119,430/year ($57.42/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.28), that's roughly $121,520 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,503/month, or 20.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $119K get you in Merced?
About speech-language pathologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Merced, CA
Entry-level speech-language pathologists (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $119K.Top earners bring in $154K or more - a $74K 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 Merced numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Merced, CA?
The median is $119,430 a year - that works out to about $57.42 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,650, and experienced speech-language pathologists can clear $153,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $119K enough to live in Merced?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,095/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,503/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 21.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a speech-language pathologists salary go in Merced?
Merced has a Regional Price Parity of 98.28 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median speech-language pathologists salary is worth about $121,520 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.