Salt Lake City vs Washington: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Salt Lake City, UT and Washington, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Washington, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $107,879▲ | $98,333 |
| Hourly Rate | $51.86▲ | $47.27 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,883▲ | $61,707 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,189▲ | $81,994 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,614▲ | $115,525 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $140,158▲ | $133,581 |
| Total Employed | 490▲ | 6 |
Verdict
Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Washington.
The salary gap between Salt Lake City and Washington is $9,546 (9.71%). Salt Lake City's median is +6.00% compared to the US national median of $101,775.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salt Lake City spans $71,275,Washington spans $71,874. Washington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($106,951 effective) pays 6.70% more than Washington ($100,238 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Salt Lake City if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($107,879/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($140,158)
- ✓Larger job market (490 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,951)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Choose Washington if…
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Salt Lake City grew 24.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in Washington over the same period.
Salt Lake City, UT
$83,080 (2019) → $103,740 (2025)
Washington, UT
$74,332 (2024) → $94,560 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Salt Lake City, UT
Washington, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Salt Lake City or Washington?
What is the hourly rate difference between Salt Lake City and Washington?
Should I relocate from Salt Lake City to Washington as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Salt Lake City vs Washington?
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.
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