Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $114,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Long Beach, CA earns a median $114,497/year (≈ $55.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $101,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the realm of speech-language pathology, Long Beach, CA, presents a lucrative opportunity for professionals, particularly those specializing in medical settings such as dysphagia. The projected median annual salary is $114,497 for 2026, reflecting an attractive compensation landscape compared to the national average of $101,775. Salary ranges in the area extend from $66,697 at the 10th percentile to a substantial $168,503 at the 90th percentile, indicating the potential for significant earnings depending on specialization and workplace setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local market conditions, highlight the growing demand and specialization needs in this vibrant city, making Long Beach a promising market for both new graduates and seasoned SLPs alike.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,697 | $32.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,010 | $44.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,497 | $55.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,391 | $67.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,503 | $81.01 |
Median Salary Position
12.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,806 (2026 est.). At $114,497, the local median is 12.5% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $114,497/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $123,381 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +12.50% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $114,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.50% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 7.20% below the California state average of $123,381.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,497 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,235 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,010
2025 BLS Actual
$110,104
2026 Current Est.
$114,497
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,943 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,298 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,104 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $89,010 (2019) to $110,104 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,056 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,697 – $92,010 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,010 – $114,497 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,497 – $140,391 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,391 – $168,503 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Long Beach
A closer examination of the local job market reveals that there are currently 89 employed speech-language pathologists in Long Beach, supported by a relatively high cost-of-living index of 113.1. This means that while salaries may appear substantial, the purchasing power is affected by local economic conditions. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, capitalizing on the demand for therapists with advanced skills in dysphagia treatment. Additionally, those interested in maximizing their compensation may consider specializing in bilingual therapy, which is a growing niche. Furthermore, the remuneration in educational settings tends to lag behind medical placements, primarily due to the school year contracts limiting year-round availability. Engaging in telepractice also presents promising avenues, especially post-2020, as this delivery method has skyrocketed in popularity, often offering competitive pay.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Long Beach, CA in 2026?
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Long Beach?
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How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Long Beach?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $110,104 for speech-language pathologistsin the Long Beach metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach 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