SLP Salary

Boise vs Pocatello: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Boise, ID and Pocatello, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise, ID
$90,954
$43.73/hr
Pocatello, ID
$79,178
$38.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise, IDPocatello, ID
Median Salary$90,954$79,178
Hourly Rate$43.73$38.06
Entry Level (P10)$53,316$31,384
25th Percentile$68,088$64,567
75th Percentile$108,204$89,993
Top Earner (P90)$128,308$99,716
Total Employed60110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise ($90,954) and Pocatello ($79,178) speech-language pathologist salaries.BoisePocatelloMedian Salary$90,954$79,178Entry Level (P10)$53,316$31,384Top Earner (P90)$128,308$99,716US Median $101,775

Verdict

Boise, ID offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pocatello.

The salary gap between Boise and Pocatello is $11,776 (14.87%). Boise's median is -10.63% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise spans $74,992,Pocatello spans $68,332. Boise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boise
P10 (Entry)$53,316
P25$68,088
Median$90,954
P75$108,204
P90 (Top)$128,308
Pocatello
P10 (Entry)$31,384
P25$64,567
Median$79,178
P75$89,993
P90 (Top)$99,716

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise ($95,440 effective) pays 7.17% more than Pocatello ($89,058 effective).

Boise
Nominal: $90,954
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $95,440
Pocatello
Nominal: $79,178
CoL Index: 88.906
Adjusted: $89,058

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,954/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,308)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,440)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Pocatello if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Boise grew 5.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.1% growth in Pocatello over the same period.

Boise, ID

+5.4%

$82,978 (2024) → $87,464 (2025)

Pocatello, ID

+5.1%

$72,430 (2019) → $76,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Boise or Pocatello?

Boise has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $90,954/year, compared to Pocatello at $79,178/year — a difference of $11,776 (14.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise and Pocatello?

Boise speech-language pathologists earn $43.73/hr while Pocatello hygienists earn $38.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise to Pocatello as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise and Pocatello. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise = $95,440, Pocatello = $89,058), job availability (60 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Boise vs Pocatello?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $53,316 in Boise and $31,384 in Pocatello. The Boise area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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