Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $45.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Burlington, VT runs $45.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,934 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,363 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Burlington, Vermont, a speech-language pathologist earns a median hourly rate of $45.16, which falls short of the national median of $48.93. This means that for professionals who may work part-time, such as three days a week, the earnings can be substantial but may not reach the benefits of full-time positions. For those in various therapy environments, including school therapy rooms, hospital settings for dysphagia evaluations, outpatient clinics, and telepractice sessions, the hourly pay can range widely. Beginning practitioners might earn as low as $33.68, while experienced professionals at the top of their field can command as much as $51.68 per hour, reflecting the official BLS hourly data for 2026.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.68 | $269.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.83 | $318.63 |
| Median (P50) | $45.16 | $361.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.73 | $405.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.68 | $413.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $45.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.16/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $93,939 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,195. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,806.51 | $7,828 | $93,939 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,083.91 | $4,697 | $56,363 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $722.61 | $3,131 | $37,575 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Burlington) | $45.16 |
| 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 Burlington, VT earn a median of $93,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.70% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 10.80% below the Vermont state average of $105,307.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.16/hr = $56,363/year (purchasing power: $55,833).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,939/year (purchasing power: $93,056).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Burlington grew 26.2% from $34.40/hr (2019) to $43.43/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.96/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
When considering the part-time earnings of a speech-language pathologist working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home might not fully compare to those in full-time roles with more financial benefits. Meanwhile, per-diem speech-language pathologists often charge between $50 and $75 per hour, while in specialized medical settings, such as dysphagia-focused practices, the rates can rise dramatically to between $80 and $110 per hour. Hourly compensation also varies significantly across different employer types in Burlington, such as public school districts, which employ 55% of SLPs, compared to private practices or telehealth agencies. While some clinicians choose agencies that offer decent hourly rates without health benefits, others might accept lower pay to secure these critical perks. For those working in Burlington’s health-focused environments, negotiating the best hourly rate requires understanding the local market, including leveraging the demand in both school settings and medical specialties.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Burlington?
Are speech-language pathologists in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Burlington?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Vermont
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 Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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