Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Speech-Language Pathologists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Speech-Language Pathologists salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 51 states with BLS data.

96% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • National averages across 51 states • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$63,830
$5,319/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$91,314
$7,610/mo
Senior (P90)
$124,884
$10,407/mo

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Speech-Language Pathologists spans from $63,830 at entry-level to $124,884 at senior level — a difference of $61,054 per year.

P10
$63K
P25
$75K
Median
$91K
P75
$108K
P90
$124K

Career Growth Premium: +96%

Senior Speech-Language Pathologistss earn $61,054 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$61,054
Monthly Difference
+$5,088
Hourly Difference
+$29.35
Growth Multiple
2.0x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Speech-Language Pathologists salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $63,830 $5,319 $30.69
Early Career P25 $75,785 $6,315 $36.44
Mid-Career Median $91,314 $7,610 $43.90
Experienced P75 $108,535 $9,045 $52.18
Senior / Expert P90 $124,884 $10,407 $60.04
Key Insight

Speech-Language Pathologists has a moderate salary progression with a 96% growth from entry-level ($63,830) to senior ($124,884). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or moving to higher-paying states. The gap between median ($91,314) and P90 ($124,884) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

Top States for Senior Speech-Language Pathologists Pay

Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Speech-Language Pathologists? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.

1
$167,230
Entry: $71K
+133%
2
$164,520
Entry: $73K
+123%
3
$160,900
Entry: $79K
+102%
4
$157,920
Entry: $64K
+143%
5
$143,000
Entry: $74K
+92%
6
$137,140
Entry: $81K
+68%
7
$136,520
Entry: $63K
+116%
8
$135,200
Entry: $79K
+69%
9
$134,750
Entry: $61K
+119%
10
$134,420
Entry: $56K
+139%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Speech-Language Pathologists?

Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $63,830 per year, or $5,319 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $75,785. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Speech-Language Pathologists make?

Senior Speech-Language Pathologistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $124,884 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $108,535. This represents a career premium of 96% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Speech-Language Pathologists?

The career salary growth potential for Speech-Language Pathologistss is 96%. Entry-level professionals start at $63,830, while senior-level can earn up to $124,884 — a difference of $61,054 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Speech-Language Pathologistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Speech-Language Pathologistss is New Jersey, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $167,230 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Speech-Language Pathologists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Ready to Advance Your Speech-Language Pathologists Career?

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. National averages are computed across 51 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy