Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Thornton, CO: $116,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Thornton, CO earns a median $116,564/year (≈ $56.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $111,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thornton, Colorado, a speech-language pathologist commands a median annual salary of $116,564, which is notably higher than the national median of $101,775 for this profession. The salary spectrum in the city spans from $70,323 at the 10th percentile to $167,196 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust local market for SLPs. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, indicate that Thornton offers competitive compensation for speech-language pathologists. The job landscape here is influenced by a variety of settings, including schools, healthcare facilities, and telepractice, situating Thornton as an attractive locale for both seasoned professionals and those just starting out in their careers.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,323 | $33.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,435 | $42.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,564 | $56.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,197 | $67.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,196 | $80.38 |
Median Salary Position
14.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,873 (2026 est.). At $116,564, the local median is 14.53% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Thornton median: $116,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $114,729 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +14.53% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Thornton, CO earn a median of $116,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.53% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $114,729.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,564 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,013 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,617
2025 BLS Actual
$112,092
2026 Current Est.
$116,564
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,617 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,175 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,549 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,367 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,265 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,215 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $90,617 (2019) to $112,092 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,215 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,598 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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) | $70,323 – $88,435 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,435 – $116,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,564 – $141,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,197 – $167,196 |
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 Thornton
With only 34 speech-language pathologists currently employed in Thornton, the job market provides unique opportunities and challenges. The cost of living index here sits at 105, which can influence take-home pay and living standards. School districts, which employ a significant portion of local SLPs, tend to offer lower salaries compared to high-paying positions in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities where clinical expertise is in high demand. The disparity in salaries is often a result of the types of services rendered, with medical SLPs generally earning more due to the complexities involved in treating conditions like dysphagia. Additionally, maximizing earning potential may involve seeking out telepractice positions, which have risen in popularity, or obtaining board specialty certifications that can yield stipends. Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone looking to thrive in the Thornton CO market.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
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
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 $112,092 for speech-language pathologistsin the Thornton 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 Thornton 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