SLP Salary

Kent vs Spokane: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Kent, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kent, WA
$106,304
$51.11/hr
Spokane, WA
$104,510
$50.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKent, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$106,304$104,510
Hourly Rate$51.11$50.25
Entry Level (P10)$69,589$75,757
25th Percentile$84,784$83,858
75th Percentile$128,727$111,976
Top Earner (P90)$152,964$126,930
Total Employed33370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kent ($106,304) and Spokane ($104,510) speech-language pathologist salaries.KentSpokaneMedian Salary$106,304$104,510Entry Level (P10)$69,589$75,757Top Earner (P90)$152,964$126,930US Median $101,775

Verdict

Kent, WA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Kent and Spokane is $1,794 (1.72%). Kent's median is +4.45% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kent spans $83,375,Spokane spans $51,173. Kent has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kent
P10 (Entry)$69,589
P25$84,784
Median$106,304
P75$128,727
P90 (Top)$152,964
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$75,757
P25$83,858
Median$104,510
P75$111,976
P90 (Top)$126,930

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($104,150 effective) pays 5.22% more than Kent ($98,980 effective).

Kent
Nominal: $106,304
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $98,980
Spokane
Nominal: $104,510
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $104,150

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kent if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,304/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($152,964)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,150)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Kent grew -0.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.2% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Kent, WA

+-0.7%

$102,923 (2024) → $102,225 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+40.2%

$71,680 (2019) → $100,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Kent or Spokane?

Kent has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $106,304/year, compared to Spokane at $104,510/year — a difference of $1,794 (1.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kent and Spokane?

Kent speech-language pathologists earn $51.11/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $50.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kent to Spokane as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kent and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kent = $98,980, Spokane = $104,150), job availability (33 vs 370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Kent vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $69,589 in Kent and $75,757 in Spokane. The Spokane 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