Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Chicopee, MA: $49.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Chicopee, MA runs $49.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,919 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Chicopee's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,152 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Chicopee, Massachusetts, the projected median hourly pay for speech-language pathologists stands at $49.00 for 2026, slightly higher than the national median of $48.93. This hourly rate provides significant earning potential for both part-time and per-diem workers who might operate in diverse settings such as school therapy rooms, hospital bedside dysphagia evaluations, outpatient clinics, and telepractice virtual sessions. With an hourly range extending from $30.11 at entry-level positions to $68.97 for top earners, professionals in Chicopee can strategically choose their work environments. The estimated hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, illustrating the financial prospects for SLPs who are navigating their early careers or considering flexible schedules in the ever-changing landscape of therapy.
About the Chicopee Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.11 | $240.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.51 | $300.07 |
| Median (P50) | $49.00 | $392.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.79 | $454.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.97 | $551.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicopee
Based on $49.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.00/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicopee, MA can expect to earn approximately $101,920 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,800. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicopee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicopee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,960.00 | $8,493 | $101,920 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,176.00 | $5,096 | $61,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $784.00 | $3,397 | $40,768 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Chicopee) | $49.00 |
| Audiologist (National Avg) | $43.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| School / Educational Counselor (National Avg) | $30.85 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $31.40 |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Chicopee, MA earn a median of $101,919 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 0.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $102,431.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.00/hr = $61,152/year (purchasing power: $56,361).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,920/year (purchasing power: $93,936).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Chicopee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Chicopee grew 23.7% from $38.09/hr (2019) to $47.12/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicopee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Speech-Language Pathologist in Chicopee
Considering the financial landscape for part-time work, a speech-language pathologist working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can earn approximately $57,312 annually, a figure significantly lower than that of full-time colleagues. For those considering per-diem roles or agency work, pay can range from $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia capable of earning upwards of $80 to $110 per hour in cash practices. Variability in hourly rates also exists across different employer types in Chicopee; districts may generally offer lower hourly wages than hospitals or private practices, where benefits may come into play as a trade-off for lower hourly rates. For SLPs seeking agency flexibility, negotiation is key—understanding local market rates and being clear about benefit needs can help secure a favorably structured contract. Navigating options such as telepractice, which has gained traction since 2020, opens further opportunities for both full-time and part-time SLPs in Chicopee, allowing them to tailor their career paths according to personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Chicopee, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in Chicopee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chicopee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127).
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