SLP Salary

Barnstable vs Boston: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Barnstable, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable, MA
$99,573
$47.87/hr
Boston, MA
$106,912
$51.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$99,573$106,912
Hourly Rate$47.87$51.40
Entry Level (P10)$62,590$74,155
25th Percentile$83,106$87,456
75th Percentile$113,319$125,724
Top Earner (P90)$129,254$135,135
Total Employed83,720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable ($99,573) and Boston ($106,912) speech-language pathologist salaries.BarnstableBostonMedian Salary$99,573$106,912Entry Level (P10)$62,590$74,155Top Earner (P90)$129,254$135,135US Median $101,775

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barnstable.

The salary gap between Barnstable and Boston is $7,339 (7.37%). Boston's median is +5.05% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable spans $66,664,Boston spans $60,980. Barnstable has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Barnstable
P10 (Entry)$62,590
P25$83,106
Median$99,573
P75$113,319
P90 (Top)$129,254
Boston
P10 (Entry)$74,155
P25$87,456
Median$106,912
P75$125,724
P90 (Top)$135,135

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($98,749 effective) pays 7.60% more than Barnstable ($91,772 effective).

Barnstable
Nominal: $99,573
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $91,772
Boston
Nominal: $106,912
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $98,749

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,912/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,135)
  • Larger job market (3,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,749)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Barnstable grew -1.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in Boston over the same period.

Barnstable, MA

+-1.3%

$97,031 (2024) → $95,752 (2025)

Boston, MA

+19.0%

$86,400 (2019) → $102,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Barnstable or Boston?

Boston has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $106,912/year, compared to Barnstable at $99,573/year — a difference of $7,339 (7.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable and Boston?

Barnstable speech-language pathologists earn $47.87/hr while Boston hygienists earn $51.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable to Boston as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable = $91,772, Boston = $98,749), job availability (8 vs 3,720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Barnstable vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $62,590 in Barnstable and $74,155 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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