Speech-Language Pathologists pay in California
In California, the median pay for speech-language pathologists is $57.20 an hour ($118,970 a year). About 16,930 people work in this job there.
That is 22% higher than the U.S. median ($97,870). California ranks 1st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for speech-language pathologists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $38.34 | $79,750 |
| 25% of workers | $47.56 | $98,920 |
| Half of workers (median) | $57.20 | $118,970 |
| 75% of workers | $64.94 | $135,070 |
| 90% of workers | $77.36 | $160,900 |
Speech-Language Pathologists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| El Centro | $133,760 | 70 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $132,720 | 890 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $130,850 | 1,760 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $127,470 | 160 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $126,850 | 200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $126,360 | 1,030 |
| Vallejo | $124,440 | 130 |
| Napa | $123,870 | 50 |
| Salinas | $122,770 | 200 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $120,550 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $119,690 | 1,590 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $118,670 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $118,660 | 310 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $118,560 | 2,120 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $117,350 | 310 |
| Modesto | $116,770 | 220 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $115,560 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $115,060 | 530 |
| Merced | $114,220 | 100 |
| Fresno | $110,960 | 820 |
| Chico | $110,720 | 130 |
| Yuba City | $109,830 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $109,740 | 4,800 |
| Visalia | $106,760 | 220 |
| Redding | $99,210 | 110 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for speech-language pathologists
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Internship/residency (BLS)
- Job outlook: +16.6% over ten years, much faster than average · about 12,500 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
| Physical Therapists | $124,190 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $49,140 |
| Occupational Therapists | $124,510 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $81,770 |
| Recreational Therapists | $98,170 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: 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. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.