SLP Salary

Chandler vs Mesa: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Chandler, AZ and Mesa, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chandler, AZ
$102,665
$49.35/hr
Mesa, AZ
$101,458
$48.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChandler, AZMesa, AZ
Median Salary$102,665$101,458
Hourly Rate$49.35$48.78
Entry Level (P10)$60,381$65,570
25th Percentile$76,933$80,562
75th Percentile$122,338$119,422
Top Earner (P90)$145,036$140,808
Total Employed4998
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chandler ($102,665) and Mesa ($101,458) speech-language pathologist salaries.ChandlerMesaMedian Salary$102,665$101,458Entry Level (P10)$60,381$65,570Top Earner (P90)$145,036$140,808US Median $101,775

Verdict

Chandler, AZ offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mesa.

The salary gap between Chandler and Mesa is $1,207 (1.19%). Chandler's median is +0.87% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chandler spans $84,655,Mesa spans $75,238. Chandler has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chandler
P10 (Entry)$60,381
P25$76,933
Median$102,665
P75$122,338
P90 (Top)$145,036
Mesa
P10 (Entry)$65,570
P25$80,562
Median$101,458
P75$119,422
P90 (Top)$140,808

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chandler ($104,228 effective) pays 1.19% more than Mesa ($103,003 effective).

Chandler
Nominal: $102,665
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $104,228
Mesa
Nominal: $101,458
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $103,003

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chandler if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,665/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,036)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,228)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Mesa if…

  • Larger job market (98 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Chandler grew 7.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in Mesa over the same period.

Chandler, AZ

+7.4%

$91,949 (2024) → $98,726 (2025)

Mesa, AZ

+2.4%

$95,279 (2024) → $97,565 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Chandler or Mesa?

Chandler has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $102,665/year, compared to Mesa at $101,458/year — a difference of $1,207 (1.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chandler and Mesa?

Chandler speech-language pathologists earn $49.35/hr while Mesa hygienists earn $48.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chandler to Mesa as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chandler and Mesa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chandler = $104,228, Mesa = $103,003), job availability (49 vs 98 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Chandler vs Mesa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $60,381 in Chandler and $65,570 in Mesa. The Mesa 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