Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Yakima, WA: $107,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Yakima, WA earns a median $107,578/year (≈ $51.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Yakima's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $112,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Yakima, Washington, speech-language pathologists can expect a median annual salary of $107,578 according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This figure represents an advantageous position compared to the national median of $101,775, highlighting a 5.70% higher compensation level for SLPs in this region. The salary range for the profession ranges from $81,934 at the 10th percentile to $129,291 at the 90th percentile, offering a broad spectrum of opportunities depending on experience and specific job settings. As the demand for speech-language pathology services continues to rise, many SLPs are increasingly pursuing avenues such as telepractice, which allows for flexibility and potential additional income streams while meeting the needs of a diverse client base.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,934 | $39.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,733 | $43.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,578 | $51.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,933 | $57.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,291 | $62.15 |
Median Salary Position
5.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yakima
In Yakima, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,357 (2026 est.). At $107,578, the local median is 5.7% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yakima: You'd be above the median
How Yakima Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Yakima median: $107,578/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yakima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,513 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +5.70% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Yakima, WA earn a median of $107,578 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.70% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.00% above the Washington state average of $106,513.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yakima has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yakima, WA has a cost-of-living index of 95.545 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $107,578 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,594 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$79,210
2025 BLS Actual
$103,450
2026 Current Est.
$107,578
2019–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,870 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yakima metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 30.6% from $79,210 (2019) to $103,450 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,870 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,660 (41.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yakima 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) | $81,934 – $89,733 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,733 – $107,578 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,578 – $118,933 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,933 – $129,291 |
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 Yakima
In analyzing the local job market, Yakima has approximately 100 employed speech-language pathologists, creating a stable yet competitive environment. The cost of living index sits at 95.545, indicating that the purchasing power of salaries here is relatively strong compared to the national average. Key employers offering the highest salaries include hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, outpatient pediatric clinics, and specialized skilled nursing facilities. Factors that influence pay disparities involve the employment setting, with medical and rehabilitation positions typically offering higher wages than those in schools. Additionally, board specialty certifications and bilingualism can provide extra financial incentives. For professionals aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing year-round contracts, engaging with telepractice options, and continuously enhancing qualifications through programs accredited by ASHA can prove particularly beneficial in the Yakima market.
More salary data for Yakima, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Yakima, WA in 2026?
Is Yakima, WA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Yakima?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Yakima?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Yakima?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $103,450 for speech-language pathologistsin the Yakima 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