Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in California
Speech-Language Pathologists in California earn a median annual wage of $118,970 —21.6% above the national median of $97,870. That ranks CA #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.79× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for speech-language pathologists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $118,970 | $57.20 | 16,930 | 0.79 |
| 2 | Colorado | $110,750 | $53.25 | 4,420 | 1.30 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $109,380 | $52.59 | 390 | 0.47 |
| 4 | Washington | $105,550 | $50.74 | 3,570 | 0.85 |
| 5 | Nevada | $104,510 | $50.25 | 1,270 | 0.69 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $104,000 | $50.00 | 720 | 1.22 |
| 7 | Delaware | $102,760 | $49.40 | 690 | 1.21 |
| 8 | Alaska | $102,670 | $49.36 | 340 | 0.89 |
| 9 | Oregon | $102,660 | $49.35 | 1,600 | 0.69 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $101,560 | $48.83 | 6,840 | 1.35 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in California?
The median annual wage for speech-language pathologists in California is $118,970, or $57.20 per hour. That is 21.6% above the national median of $97,870.
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $79,750 per year ($38.34/hour). The 25th percentile is $98,920.
How many people work as speech-language pathologists in California?
About 16,930 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for speech-language pathologists?
California ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.79x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays speech-language pathologists the most?
California has the highest median wage at $118,970 per year, followed by Colorado ($110,750) and District of Columbia ($109,380).