SLP Salary

Folsom vs San Francisco: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Folsom, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Folsom, CA
$132,290
$63.60/hr
San Francisco, CA
$136,071
$65.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFolsom, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$132,290$136,071
Hourly Rate$63.60$65.42
Entry Level (P10)$81,101$101,889
25th Percentile$101,543$117,166
75th Percentile$153,599$149,454
Top Earner (P90)$178,263$170,138
Total Employed171,760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Folsom ($132,290) and San Francisco ($136,071) speech-language pathologist salaries.FolsomSan FranciscoMedian Salary$132,290$136,071Entry Level (P10)$81,101$101,889Top Earner (P90)$178,263$170,138US Median $101,775

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Folsom.

The salary gap between Folsom and San Francisco is $3,781 (2.86%). San Francisco's median is +33.70% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Folsom spans $97,162,San Francisco spans $68,249. Folsom has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Folsom
P10 (Entry)$81,101
P25$101,543
Median$132,290
P75$153,599
P90 (Top)$178,263
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$101,889
P25$117,166
Median$136,071
P75$149,454
P90 (Top)$170,138

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($117,695 effective) pays 0.62% more than Folsom ($116,967 effective).

Folsom
Nominal: $132,290
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $116,967
San Francisco
Nominal: $136,071
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $117,695

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Folsom if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($178,263)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,071/year)
  • Larger job market (1,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,695)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Folsom grew 6.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.5% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Folsom, CA

+6.5%

$119,489 (2024) → $127,214 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+34.5%

$97,270 (2019) → $130,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Folsom or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $136,071/year, compared to Folsom at $132,290/year — a difference of $3,781 (2.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Folsom and San Francisco?

Folsom speech-language pathologists earn $63.60/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $65.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Folsom to San Francisco as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Folsom and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Folsom = $116,967, San Francisco = $117,695), job availability (17 vs 1,760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Folsom vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $81,101 in Folsom and $101,889 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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