SLP Salary

Goodyear vs Tucson: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Goodyear, AZ
$98,881
$47.53/hr
Tucson, AZ
$99,258
$47.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGoodyear, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$98,881$99,258
Hourly Rate$47.53$47.72
Entry Level (P10)$60,556$71,660
25th Percentile$75,851$85,293
75th Percentile$114,761$113,183
Top Earner (P90)$139,445$123,405
Total Employed15420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Goodyear ($98,881) and Tucson ($99,258) speech-language pathologist salaries.GoodyearTucsonMedian Salary$98,881$99,258Entry Level (P10)$60,556$71,660Top Earner (P90)$139,445$123,405US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Goodyear and Tucson is $377 (0.38%). Tucson's median is -2.47% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Goodyear spans $78,889,Tucson spans $51,745. Goodyear has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Goodyear
P10 (Entry)$60,556
P25$75,851
Median$98,881
P75$114,761
P90 (Top)$139,445
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$71,660
P25$85,293
Median$99,258
P75$113,183
P90 (Top)$123,405

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($102,438 effective) pays 2.04% more than Goodyear ($100,387 effective).

Goodyear
Nominal: $98,881
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $100,387
Tucson
Nominal: $99,258
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $102,438

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Goodyear if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($139,445)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,258/year)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,438)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Goodyear grew 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.3% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Goodyear, AZ

+7.7%

$88,322 (2024) → $95,087 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+29.3%

$73,810 (2019) → $95,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Goodyear or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $99,258/year, compared to Goodyear at $98,881/year — a difference of $377 (0.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Goodyear and Tucson?

Goodyear speech-language pathologists earn $47.53/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $47.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Goodyear to Tucson as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Goodyear and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Goodyear = $100,387, Tucson = $102,438), job availability (15 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Goodyear vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $60,556 in Goodyear and $71,660 in Tucson. The Tucson 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