Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Bellingham, WA: $104,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Bellingham, WA earns a median $104,468/year (≈ $50.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $101,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 stands at $104,468, slightly surpassing the national median of $101,775. This compensation reflects a salary range that extends from $85,469 at the 10th percentile to $131,943 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential based on experience and specialization. The data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reveals that the local job market is significantly influenced by the structure of employment in schools compared to medical settings, with most SLPs in Bellingham navigating a divide in contract types — many are employed year-round in healthcare facilities while others work on a school-year basis. As the job market continues to thrive, Bellingham emerges as an attractive locale for both aspiring and seasoned speech-language pathologists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,469 | $41.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,362 | $44.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,468 | $50.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,762 | $61.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,943 | $63.43 |
Median Salary Position
2.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,474 (2026 est.). At $104,468, the local median is 2.65% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $104,468/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,492 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +2.65% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $104,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $106,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,468 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,097 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,160
2025 BLS Actual
$100,460
2026 Current Est.
$104,468
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 30.2% from $77,160 (2019) to $100,460 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,477 (40.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $85,469 – $93,362 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,362 – $104,468 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,468 – $127,762 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,762 – $131,943 |
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 Bellingham
A closer look at the local job market reveals 90 speech-language pathologists currently employed in the area, underlining its demand. With a cost-of-living index of 103.334, the financial landscape suggests that although salaries appear competitive, purchasing power may be somewhat limited compared to the national average. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include hospital inpatient rehab facilities and skilled nursing facilities, while school districts often provide lower pay but greater job security. Variations in pay are influenced by multiple factors—positions in medical settings generally command higher wages than those in private practices or school environments. For SLPs seeking to maximize their earnings in Bellingham, strategies may include pursuing certification for specialized skills, exploring telepractice options that have surged post-2020, and seeking employment in bilingual settings, where additional premiums can apply.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Bellingham, WA in 2026?
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Bellingham?
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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 $100,460 for speech-language pathologistsin the Bellingham 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
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