SLP Salary

Trenton vs Westfield: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Trenton, NJ and Westfield, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Trenton, NJ
$98,593
$47.40/hr
Westfield, NJ
$114,077
$54.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTrenton, NJWestfield, NJ
Median Salary$98,593$114,077
Hourly Rate$47.40$54.84
Entry Level (P10)$70,807$71,406
25th Percentile$81,705$95,345
75th Percentile$110,489$129,955
Top Earner (P90)$130,736$148,295
Total Employed2707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Trenton ($98,593) and Westfield ($114,077) speech-language pathologist salaries.TrentonWestfieldMedian Salary$98,593$114,077Entry Level (P10)$70,807$71,406Top Earner (P90)$130,736$148,295US Median $101,775

Verdict

Westfield, NJ offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Trenton and Westfield is $15,484 (15.70%). Westfield's median is +12.09% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Trenton spans $59,929,Westfield spans $76,889. Westfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Trenton
P10 (Entry)$70,807
P25$81,705
Median$98,593
P75$110,489
P90 (Top)$130,736
Westfield
P10 (Entry)$71,406
P25$95,345
Median$114,077
P75$129,955
P90 (Top)$148,295

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Westfield ($99,025 effective) pays 3.63% more than Trenton ($95,554 effective).

Trenton
Nominal: $98,593
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $95,554
Westfield
Nominal: $114,077
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $99,025

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Westfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($114,077/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($148,295)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,025)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Trenton grew 18.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.1% growth in Westfield over the same period.

Trenton, NJ

+18.5%

$80,030 (2019) → $94,810 (2025)

Westfield, NJ

+-0.1%

$109,846 (2024) → $109,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Trenton or Westfield?

Westfield has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $114,077/year, compared to Trenton at $98,593/year — a difference of $15,484 (15.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Trenton and Westfield?

Trenton speech-language pathologists earn $47.40/hr while Westfield hygienists earn $54.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Trenton to Westfield as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Trenton and Westfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Trenton = $95,554, Westfield = $99,025), job availability (270 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Trenton vs Westfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $70,807 in Trenton and $71,406 in Westfield. The Westfield 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