SLP Salary

Boston vs Wellesley: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Boston, MA and Wellesley, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$106,912
$51.40/hr
Wellesley, MA
$97,316
$46.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWellesley, MA
Median Salary$106,912$97,316
Hourly Rate$51.40$46.79
Entry Level (P10)$74,155$65,550
25th Percentile$87,456$78,528
75th Percentile$125,724$114,035
Top Earner (P90)$135,135$131,233
Total Employed3,7206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($106,912) and Wellesley ($97,316) speech-language pathologist salaries.BostonWellesleyMedian Salary$106,912$97,316Entry Level (P10)$74,155$65,550Top Earner (P90)$135,135$131,233US Median $101,775

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wellesley.

The salary gap between Boston and Wellesley is $9,596 (9.86%). Boston's median is +5.05% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $60,980,Wellesley spans $65,683. Wellesley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$74,155
P25$87,456
Median$106,912
P75$125,724
P90 (Top)$135,135
Wellesley
P10 (Entry)$65,550
P25$78,528
Median$97,316
P75$114,035
P90 (Top)$131,233

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($98,749 effective) pays 10.10% more than Wellesley ($89,692 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $106,912
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $98,749
Wellesley
Nominal: $97,316
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $89,692

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,912/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,135)
  • Larger job market (3,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,749)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Wellesley if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Boston grew 19.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.3% growth in Wellesley over the same period.

Boston, MA

+19.0%

$86,400 (2019) → $102,810 (2025)

Wellesley, MA

+-1.3%

$94,831 (2024) → $93,582 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Boston or Wellesley?

Boston has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $106,912/year, compared to Wellesley at $97,316/year — a difference of $9,596 (9.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Wellesley?

Boston speech-language pathologists earn $51.40/hr while Wellesley hygienists earn $46.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Wellesley as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Wellesley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $98,749, Wellesley = $89,692), job availability (3,720 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Boston vs Wellesley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $74,155 in Boston and $65,550 in Wellesley. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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