SLP Salary

Gresham vs Portland: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Gresham, OR
$110,037
$52.90/hr
Portland, OR
$111,945
$53.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGresham, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$110,037$111,945
Hourly Rate$52.90$53.81
Entry Level (P10)$67,558$84,981
25th Percentile$84,457$97,948
75th Percentile$127,529$136,851
Top Earner (P90)$148,279$149,517
Total Employed211,140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gresham ($110,037) and Portland ($111,945) speech-language pathologist salaries.GreshamPortlandMedian Salary$110,037$111,945Entry Level (P10)$67,558$84,981Top Earner (P90)$148,279$149,517US Median $101,775

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gresham.

The salary gap between Gresham and Portland is $1,908 (1.73%). Portland's median is +9.99% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gresham spans $80,721,Portland spans $64,536. Gresham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gresham
P10 (Entry)$67,558
P25$84,457
Median$110,037
P75$127,529
P90 (Top)$148,279
Portland
P10 (Entry)$84,981
P25$97,948
Median$111,945
P75$136,851
P90 (Top)$149,517

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gresham ($107,249 effective) pays 1.00% more than Portland ($106,189 effective).

Gresham
Nominal: $110,037
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $107,249
Portland
Nominal: $111,945
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $106,189

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gresham if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,249)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,945/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($149,517)
  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Gresham grew 9.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.9% growth in Portland over the same period.

Gresham, OR

+9.6%

$96,583 (2024) → $105,815 (2025)

Portland, OR

+33.9%

$80,420 (2019) → $107,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Gresham or Portland?

Portland has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $111,945/year, compared to Gresham at $110,037/year — a difference of $1,908 (1.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gresham and Portland?

Gresham speech-language pathologists earn $52.90/hr while Portland hygienists earn $53.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gresham to Portland as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gresham and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gresham = $107,249, Portland = $106,189), job availability (21 vs 1,140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Gresham vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $67,558 in Gresham and $84,981 in Portland. The Portland 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