SLP Salary

Anchorage vs Wasilla: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Anchorage, AK and Wasilla, AK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anchorage, AK
$107,120
$51.50/hr
Wasilla, AK
$99,827
$47.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnchorage, AKWasilla, AK
Median Salary$107,120$99,827
Hourly Rate$51.50$47.99
Entry Level (P10)$84,752$69,973
25th Percentile$90,180$80,081
75th Percentile$109,689$113,399
Top Earner (P90)$130,975$127,739
Total Employed2204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anchorage ($107,120) and Wasilla ($99,827) speech-language pathologist salaries.AnchorageWasillaMedian Salary$107,120$99,827Entry Level (P10)$84,752$69,973Top Earner (P90)$130,975$127,739US Median $101,775

Verdict

Anchorage, AK offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wasilla.

The salary gap between Anchorage and Wasilla is $7,293 (7.31%). Anchorage's median is +5.25% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anchorage spans $46,223,Wasilla spans $57,766. Wasilla has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Anchorage
P10 (Entry)$84,752
P25$90,180
Median$107,120
P75$109,689
P90 (Top)$130,975
Wasilla
P10 (Entry)$69,973
P25$80,081
Median$99,827
P75$113,399
P90 (Top)$127,739

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anchorage ($101,613 effective) pays 8.00% more than Wasilla ($94,088 effective).

Anchorage
Nominal: $107,120
CoL Index: 105.42
Adjusted: $101,613
Wasilla
Nominal: $99,827
CoL Index: 106.1
Adjusted: $94,088

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anchorage if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,120/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,975)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,613)
  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Choose Wasilla if…

  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Anchorage grew 14.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.9% growth in Wasilla over the same period.

Anchorage, AK

+14.2%

$90,210 (2019) → $103,010 (2025)

Wasilla, AK

+1.9%

$94,163 (2024) → $95,997 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Anchorage or Wasilla?

Anchorage has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $107,120/year, compared to Wasilla at $99,827/year — a difference of $7,293 (7.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anchorage and Wasilla?

Anchorage speech-language pathologists earn $51.50/hr while Wasilla hygienists earn $47.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anchorage to Wasilla as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anchorage and Wasilla. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anchorage = $101,613, Wasilla = $94,088), job availability (220 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Anchorage vs Wasilla?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $84,752 in Anchorage and $69,973 in Wasilla. The Anchorage area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov