SLP Salary

Glendale vs Phoenix: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Glendale, AZ
$104,225
$50.11/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$101,952
$49.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGlendale, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$104,225$101,952
Hourly Rate$50.11$49.02
Entry Level (P10)$62,886$72,523
25th Percentile$79,635$84,253
75th Percentile$123,305$125,630
Top Earner (P90)$146,276$136,508
Total Employed502,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Glendale ($104,225) and Phoenix ($101,952) speech-language pathologist salaries.GlendalePhoenixMedian Salary$104,225$101,952Entry Level (P10)$62,886$72,523Top Earner (P90)$146,276$136,508US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Glendale and Phoenix is $2,273 (2.23%). Glendale's median is +2.41% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Glendale spans $83,390,Phoenix spans $63,985. Glendale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Glendale
P10 (Entry)$62,886
P25$79,635
Median$104,225
P75$123,305
P90 (Top)$146,276
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$72,523
P25$84,253
Median$101,952
P75$125,630
P90 (Top)$136,508

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Glendale ($105,812 effective) pays 7.23% more than Phoenix ($98,680 effective).

Glendale
Nominal: $104,225
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $105,812
Phoenix
Nominal: $101,952
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $98,680

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Glendale if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,225/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,276)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,812)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Larger job market (2,640 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Glendale grew 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.3% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

Glendale, AZ

+7.7%

$93,096 (2024) → $100,226 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+30.3%

$75,220 (2019) → $98,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Glendale or Phoenix?

Glendale has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,225/year, compared to Phoenix at $101,952/year — a difference of $2,273 (2.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Glendale and Phoenix?

Glendale speech-language pathologists earn $50.11/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $49.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Glendale to Phoenix as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Glendale and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Glendale = $105,812, Phoenix = $98,680), job availability (50 vs 2,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Glendale vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $62,886 in Glendale and $72,523 in Phoenix. The Phoenix 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