SLP Salary

Portland vs West Linn: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Portland, OR
$111,945
$53.81/hr
West Linn, OR
$104,219
$50.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORWest Linn, OR
Median Salary$111,945$104,219
Hourly Rate$53.81$50.10
Entry Level (P10)$84,981$64,878
25th Percentile$97,948$86,598
75th Percentile$136,851$122,223
Top Earner (P90)$149,517$140,834
Total Employed1,1407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($111,945) and West Linn ($104,219) speech-language pathologist salaries.PortlandWest LinnMedian Salary$111,945$104,219Entry Level (P10)$84,981$64,878Top Earner (P90)$149,517$140,834US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Portland and West Linn is $7,726 (7.41%). 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 Portland spans $64,536,West Linn spans $75,956. West Linn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$84,981
P25$97,948
Median$111,945
P75$136,851
P90 (Top)$149,517
West Linn
P10 (Entry)$64,878
P25$86,598
Median$104,219
P75$122,223
P90 (Top)$140,834

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($106,189 effective) pays 4.54% more than West Linn ($101,578 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $111,945
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $106,189
West Linn
Nominal: $104,219
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $101,578

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,945/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($149,517)
  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,189)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose West Linn if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Portland grew 33.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in West Linn over the same period.

Portland, OR

+33.9%

$80,420 (2019) → $107,650 (2025)

West Linn, OR

+9.6%

$91,476 (2024) → $100,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Portland has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $111,945/year, compared to West Linn at $104,219/year — a difference of $7,726 (7.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and West Linn?

Portland speech-language pathologists earn $53.81/hr while West Linn hygienists earn $50.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and West Linn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $106,189, West Linn = $101,578), job availability (1,140 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $84,981 in Portland and $64,878 in West Linn. 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