SLP Salary

Eugene vs The Dalles: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Eugene, OR and The Dalles, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$100,101
$48.13/hr
The Dalles, OR
$99,669
$47.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORThe Dalles, OR
Median Salary$100,101$99,669
Hourly Rate$48.13$47.92
Entry Level (P10)$65,160$70,283
25th Percentile$78,024$82,510
75th Percentile$107,754$115,659
Top Earner (P90)$129,000$131,480
Total Employed1606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($100,101) and The Dalles ($99,669) speech-language pathologist salaries.EugeneThe DallesMedian Salary$100,101$99,669Entry Level (P10)$65,160$70,283Top Earner (P90)$129,000$131,480US Median $101,775

Verdict

Eugene, OR offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to The Dalles.

The salary gap between Eugene and The Dalles is $432 (0.43%). Eugene's median is -1.64% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $63,840,The Dalles spans $61,197. Eugene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$65,160
P25$78,024
Median$100,101
P75$107,754
P90 (Top)$129,000
The Dalles
P10 (Entry)$70,283
P25$82,510
Median$99,669
P75$115,659
P90 (Top)$131,480

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Eugene ($98,556 effective) pays 1.45% more than The Dalles ($97,143 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $100,101
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $98,556
The Dalles
Nominal: $99,669
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $97,143

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,101/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,556)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose The Dalles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,480)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Eugene grew 10.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in The Dalles over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+10.3%

$87,300 (2019) → $96,260 (2025)

The Dalles, OR

+9.6%

$87,483 (2024) → $95,845 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Eugene or The Dalles?

Eugene has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $100,101/year, compared to The Dalles at $99,669/year — a difference of $432 (0.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and The Dalles?

Eugene speech-language pathologists earn $48.13/hr while The Dalles hygienists earn $47.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to The Dalles as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and The Dalles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $98,556, The Dalles = $97,143), job availability (160 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Eugene vs The Dalles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $65,160 in Eugene and $70,283 in The Dalles. The The Dalles 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