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Speech-language pathologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$97,870median pay per year, or $47.05 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $62,900lowest 10% earn less
  2. $77,73025th percentile
  3. $97,870median
  4. $114,57075th percentile
  5. $134,160top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for a speech-language pathologist was $97,870 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+16.6%[2]
Openings per year
12,500[5]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[6]

How much do speech-language pathologists make?

The median wage was $97,870 a year, or $47.05 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $98,170 a year, or $47.20 an hour[7].

The median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. The typical speech-language pathologist wage was well above that.

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][8] $62,900 $30.24
25th percentile[3][8] $77,730 $37.37
Median[1] $97,870 $47.05
75th percentile[3][8] $114,570 $55.08
90th percentile[3][8] $134,160 $64.50

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $62,900, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $134,160[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[10]. About 183,390 people held these jobs[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and DC with published data, California had the highest median at $118,970, followed by Colorado at $110,750 and the District of Columbia at $109,380[12]. South Dakota had the lowest listed median at $65,680[12].

Texas had the most jobs with 19,120, then California with 16,930 and New York with 15,310[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $132,720, then Boulder, CO at $131,620 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $130,850[14]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the most jobs at 15,260, with a median of $107,860[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$118,97016,930
Colorado$110,7504,420
District of Columbia$109,380390
Washington$105,5503,570
Nevada$104,5101,270
Rhode Island$104,000720
Delaware$102,760690
Alaska$102,670340
Oregon$102,6601,600
New Jersey$101,5606,840
Massachusetts$101,3105,290
New York$100,61015,310
Connecticut$100,1102,390
Florida$99,99010,080
Texas$99,91019,120
Maryland$99,1903,510
New Mexico$98,6901,250
Arizona$97,8003,390
Hawaii$97,560270
Georgia$96,7604,030
Virginia$96,2504,460
Illinois$95,0809,040
Ohio$93,3007,270
Pennsylvania$92,9606,570
Utah$91,5601,460
South Carolina$90,5302,190
Minnesota$89,3803,890
Missouri$89,2803,230
Michigan$89,1204,730
Indiana$87,3603,310
North Carolina$86,4605,600
Tennessee$84,6303,320
Oklahoma$84,4701,870
Idaho$84,3801,210
Nebraska$84,3501,310
Arkansas$83,5802,430
Kentucky$83,5502,610
New Hampshire$83,040720
Wisconsin$83,0002,940
Maine$82,660640
Vermont$82,090430
Wyoming$82,040240
Iowa$81,0501,540
West Virginia$80,970880
Kansas$80,1201,690
Montana$78,740490
Mississippi$78,1301,790
North Dakota$75,240630
Alabama$73,6602,060
Louisiana$69,6103,000
South Dakota$65,680410

How to become a speech-language pathologist

The path takes several steps. The education and licensing details come from the BLS profile for this job.

School-based workers may need a teaching certification[21]. Some employers prefer CPR or basic life support certification[22].

In an O*NET survey of 26 workers, 89% said a master's degree is required, and 11% said a post-master's certificate[23].

What speech-language pathologists do

These workers assess and treat people with speech, language, voice and fluency disorders[24]. Tasks listed by O*NET include:

BLS says analytical skills and clear communication matter, since these workers explain results and treatment to families[26][27].

Where they work

Educational services (state, local and private) was the largest employer, with 39% of speech-language pathologists in 2025[28]. They typically work as part of a team, and some travel between schools or facilities[29].

Most work full time, though part-time work is common[30]. School-based workers may have a 2-month summer break and a shorter midwinter break[30]. About 4.5% were self-employed in 2025[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 193,400 to 225,500 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[32]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS points to an aging population, more awareness of the need to spot speech and language problems early, and growing special education needs in schools[33].

About 12,500 openings are projected each year, on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.1% of workers leave the labor force and 2.3% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay well above the all-occupations median[1][4]. Growth is projected to be much faster than for all occupations[2][32]. The cost is a long route. It takes a master's degree that usually takes 2 years, supervised clinical work and a state license[17][19]. The work is typically done as part of a team[29].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a speech-language pathologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $47.05 in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $30.24 and the 90th was $64.50[8].
What degree do you need to be a speech-language pathologist?
BLS lists a master's degree for entry[6]. The master's programs usually take 2 years of study after a bachelor's degree[17].
Do speech-language pathologists need a license?
Yes. All states require a license, and requirements vary by state[16].
Is speech-language pathology in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][32]. About 12,500 openings are projected each year[5].
What is the highest paying state for speech-language pathologists?
California had the highest median at $118,970 in May 2025, ahead of Colorado at $110,750[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Speech-Language Pathologists in the US was $97,870 per year and $47.05 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Speech-Language Pathologists is projected to grow 16.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 193,400 to 225,500 jobs (a change of +32,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Speech-Language Pathologists: 10th percentile $62,900, 25th percentile $77,730, 75th percentile $114,570, 90th percentile $134,160. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 12,500 openings for Speech-Language Pathologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Speech-Language Pathologists: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Speech-Language Pathologists was $98,170 per year and $47.20 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Speech-Language Pathologists: 10th percentile $30.24, 25th percentile $37.37, 75th percentile $55.08, 90th percentile $64.50. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 183,390 people were employed as Speech-Language Pathologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Speech-Language Pathologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Speech-Language Pathologists jobs: Texas 19,120; California 16,930; New York 15,310; Florida 10,080; Illinois 9,040. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Speech-Language Pathologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $132,720; Boulder, CO $131,620; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,850; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $127,470; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $126,850; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $126,360; Vallejo, CA $124,440; Salinas, CA $122,770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Speech-Language Pathologists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 15,260 (median $107,860); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 7,150 (median $98,490); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 4,800 (median $99,540); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,800 (median $109,740); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 3,780 (median $100,400); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 3,720 (median $102,810). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 29-1127.00 survey of workers (26 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 89%, Post-Master's Certificate 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Speech-Language Pathologists. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Speech-Language Pathologists. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of speech-language pathologists in 2025: Educational services; state, local, and private 39%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 4.5% of Speech-Language Pathologists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Speech-Language Pathologists: Demand change - share increases as an aging population; growing awareness of the importance of identifying speech and language impairments early; and increasing special education needs in schools raise demand for speech-language pathology services. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Speech-Language Pathologists: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.