SLP Salary

Sacramento vs Vallejo: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Sacramento, CA and Vallejo, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$131,402
$63.17/hr
Vallejo, CA
$129,405
$62.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$131,402$129,405
Hourly Rate$63.17$62.22
Entry Level (P10)$88,423$83,920
25th Percentile$106,704$111,945
75th Percentile$142,778$145,690
Top Earner (P90)$154,217$159,292
Total Employed1,030130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($131,402) and Vallejo ($129,405) speech-language pathologist salaries.SacramentoVallejoMedian Salary$131,402$129,405Entry Level (P10)$88,423$83,920Top Earner (P90)$154,217$159,292US Median $101,775

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vallejo.

The salary gap between Sacramento and Vallejo is $1,997 (1.54%). Sacramento's median is +29.11% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $65,794,Vallejo spans $75,372. Vallejo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$88,423
P25$106,704
Median$131,402
P75$142,778
P90 (Top)$154,217
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$83,920
P25$111,945
Median$129,405
P75$145,690
P90 (Top)$159,292

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($123,186 effective) pays 3.27% more than Vallejo ($119,290 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $131,402
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $123,186
Vallejo
Nominal: $129,405
CoL Index: 108.479
Adjusted: $119,290

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,402/year)
  • Larger job market (1,030 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $123,186)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vallejo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($159,292)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Sacramento grew 30.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.3% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+30.8%

$96,640 (2019) → $126,360 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+19.3%

$104,270 (2019) → $124,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Sacramento or Vallejo?

Sacramento has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $131,402/year, compared to Vallejo at $129,405/year — a difference of $1,997 (1.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Vallejo?

Sacramento speech-language pathologists earn $63.17/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $62.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Vallejo as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $123,186, Vallejo = $119,290), job availability (1,030 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Sacramento vs Vallejo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $88,423 in Sacramento and $83,920 in Vallejo. The Sacramento 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