Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Burien, WA: $105,995 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Burien, WA earns a median $105,995/year (≈ $50.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $98,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual earnings for speech-language pathologists in Burien, Washington, is expected to reach $105,995, slightly above the national median of $101,775. With a salary range between $70,571 at the 10th percentile and $149,275 at the 90th percentile, practitioners in the area experience significant variability depending on their work settings and contract types. This projected compensation reflects estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. As the local scene continues to evolve, Burien remains an appealing market for speech-language pathologists, influenced by the segmentation between school and medical roles, along with the seasonal nature of school contracts versus year-round employment in healthcare settings.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,571 | $33.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,226 | $40.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,995 | $50.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,935 | $61.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,275 | $71.76 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,704 (2026 est.). At $105,995, the local median is 4.15% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Burien median: $105,995/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,528 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +4.15% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Burien, WA earn a median of $105,995 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $106,528.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,995 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,692 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,401
2025 BLS Actual
$101,928
2026 Current Est.
$105,995
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,817 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,629 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,992 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,624 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,995 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $82,401 (2019) to $101,928 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,823 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $70,571 – $85,226 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,226 – $105,995 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,995 – $126,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,935 – $149,275 |
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 Burien
Despite the strong median figures, Burien's cost-of-living index of 107.4 indicates a premium on daily expenses, impacting take-home pay for speech-language pathologists. Currently, only eight professionals are employed in this field locally, highlighting a niche market that may offer competitive roles, particularly in medical settings such as inpatient rehab or skilled nursing facilities, where pay tends to be higher than in schools. School districts typically provide lower salaries, but they dominate employment opportunity share, employing around 55% of all SLPs. Variances in compensation can often be traced back to work settings, with medical positions tending to pay the most, followed by private practice and school roles. To maximize earning potential in Burien, targeting contracts that offer specialty stipends or seeking bilingual certification could be beneficial strategies, alongside considering telepractice options that have increased significantly in demand since 2020.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
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 $101,928 for speech-language pathologistsin the Burien 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 Burien 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