SLP Salary

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

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

Boston, MA
$106,912
$51.40/hr
Chicopee, MA
$101,919
$49.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAChicopee, MA
Median Salary$106,912$101,919
Hourly Rate$51.40$49.00
Entry Level (P10)$74,155$62,612
25th Percentile$87,456$78,015
75th Percentile$125,724$118,120
Top Earner (P90)$135,135$143,452
Total Employed3,72010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($106,912) and Chicopee ($101,919) speech-language pathologist salaries.BostonChicopeeMedian Salary$106,912$101,919Entry Level (P10)$74,155$62,612Top Earner (P90)$135,135$143,452US Median $101,775

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chicopee.

The salary gap between Boston and Chicopee is $4,993 (4.90%). 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 Boston spans $60,980,Chicopee spans $80,840. Chicopee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$74,155
P25$87,456
Median$106,912
P75$125,724
P90 (Top)$135,135
Chicopee
P10 (Entry)$62,612
P25$78,015
Median$101,919
P75$118,120
P90 (Top)$143,452

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($98,749 effective) pays 5.13% more than Chicopee ($93,935 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $106,912
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $98,749
Chicopee
Nominal: $101,919
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $93,935

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

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

Choose Chicopee if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($143,452)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Boston grew 19.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.3% growth in Chicopee over the same period.

Boston, MA

+19.0%

$86,400 (2019) → $102,810 (2025)

Chicopee, MA

+-1.3%

$99,316 (2024) → $98,008 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boston has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $106,912/year, compared to Chicopee at $101,919/year — a difference of $4,993 (4.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Chicopee?

Boston speech-language pathologists earn $51.40/hr while Chicopee hygienists earn $49.00/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Chicopee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $98,749, Chicopee = $93,935), job availability (3,720 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $74,155 in Boston and $62,612 in Chicopee. 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