Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in New Brunswick, NJ: $56.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in New Brunswick, NJ runs $56.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,693 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against New Brunswick's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,613 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In New Brunswick, NJ, the median hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist is projected to be $56.58 in 2026, significantly above the national hourly median of $48.93. This rate is attractive for part-time and per-diem professionals who may work in various environments, including school therapy rooms, hospital settings for dysphagia assessments, and outpatient clinics. Working three days a week allows SLPs to earn a comfortable hourly wage, while the range of hourly rates varies from approximately $35.57 for entry-level practitioners to $76.92 for those at the top of their field. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, highlighting the wide income potential available to speech-language pathologists in this rapidly evolving field.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.57 | $284.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.93 | $351.40 |
| Median (P50) | $56.58 | $452.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.27 | $530.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.92 | $615.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Brunswick
Based on $56.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.58/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Brunswick, NJ can expect to earn approximately $117,688 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,897. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in New Brunswick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Brunswick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,263.24 | $9,807 | $117,688 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,357.94 | $5,884 | $70,613 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $905.30 | $3,923 | $47,075 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (New Brunswick) | $56.58 |
| 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 New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $117,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $117,224.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.58/hr = $70,613/year (purchasing power: $61,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,688/year (purchasing power: $102,160).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in New Brunswick grew 23.7% from $43.99/hr (2019) to $54.41/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.84/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 New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick
Earning potential for speech-language pathologists working part-time or on a per-diem basis can be quite lucrative. A typical schedule of 24 hours per week translates to around $70,091 annually for those working part-time, compared to full-time earnings. Per diem speech-language pathologists can expect pay rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia commanding even more, at $80 to $110 per hour in cash practices. In New Brunswick, different employment settings affect compensation differently; school districts may offer lower hourly rates compared to the outpatient clinics or skilled nursing facilities that may pay more for specialized services. Although some may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others might seek higher pay without benefits for more freedom. When negotiating rates, being aware of local demand and specific employer offerings can better position a speech-language pathologist to secure competitive compensation in this vibrant market.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in New Brunswick in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in New Brunswick?
Are speech-language pathologists in New Brunswick paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in New Brunswick?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in New Brunswick?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 New Brunswick. 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 New Brunswick 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