Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a speech-language pathologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $135,860/year ($65.32/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $123,039 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 43.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $136K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About speech-language pathologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level speech-language pathologists (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $136K.Top earners bring in $165K or more - a $81K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $135,860 a year - that works out to about $65.32 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,400, and experienced speech-language pathologists can clear $164,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $136K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,903/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.1% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median speech-language pathologists salary is worth about $123,039 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.