Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Hilo, HI: $115,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Hilo, HI earns a median $115,217/year (≈ $55.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Hilo's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $96,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hilo, Hawaii, speech-language pathologists can expect an impressive median annual salary of $115,217 in 2026, reflecting a notable premium compared to their counterparts nationally, where the median is $101,775. Local salaries range widely from $77,396 at the 10th percentile to $155,123 at the 90th percentile. These numbers, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the strong earning potential for SLPs specializing in medical settings, particularly those focusing on dysphagia. Given the specialized demands of the local healthcare landscape, emerging subfields present a substantial advantage in this market, making Hilo an attractive location for practitioners in the field.
About the Hilo Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,396 | $37.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,816 | $44.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,217 | $55.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,859 | $64.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,123 | $74.58 |
Median Salary Position
13.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilo
In Hilo, HI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,727 (2026 est.). At $115,217, the local median is 13.21% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilo Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Hilo median: $115,217/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $121,409 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +13.21% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Hilo, HI earn a median of $115,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.21% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 5.10% below the Hawaii state average of $121,409.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilo has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilo, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,217 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,578 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,570
2025 BLS Actual
$110,796
2026 Current Est.
$115,217
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Hilo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,109 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,502 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,679 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,796 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,814 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilo metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $89,570 (2019) to $110,796 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,244 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilo 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) | $77,396 – $92,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,816 – $115,217 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,217 – $134,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,859 – $155,123 |
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 Hilo
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Hilo is relatively small, with only seven professionals currently employed in the region. This limited workforce reflects the broader cost-of-living index of 119.3, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest pay, followed by hospital inpatient rehabilitation services and outpatient pediatric clinics. The disparity in salaries stems from varying settings, as medical environments typically provide enhanced compensation compared to educational roles. Factors such as school-year contracts, board specialty certification stipends, and the increased demand for bilingual SLPs also contribute to the range in compensation. To maximize earning potential in Hilo, SLPs should consider diversifying their skills, pursuing additional credentials, or exploring opportunities in telepractice, which has gained traction since 2020.
More salary data for Hilo, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $110,796 for speech-language pathologistsin the Hilo 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 Hilo 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