SLP Salary

Redding vs Riverside: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Redding, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Redding, CA
$103,168
$49.60/hr
Riverside, CA
$123,291
$59.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRedding, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$103,168$123,291
Hourly Rate$49.60$59.27
Entry Level (P10)$83,171$61,968
25th Percentile$83,171$93,768
75th Percentile$124,549$137,152
Top Earner (P90)$136,903$152,075
Total Employed1102,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Redding ($103,168) and Riverside ($123,291) speech-language pathologist salaries.ReddingRiversideMedian Salary$103,168$123,291Entry Level (P10)$83,171$61,968Top Earner (P90)$136,903$152,075US Median $101,775

Verdict

Riverside, CA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Redding.

The salary gap between Redding and Riverside is $20,123 (19.51%). Riverside's median is +21.14% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Redding spans $53,732,Riverside spans $90,107. Riverside has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Redding
P10 (Entry)$83,171
P25$83,171
Median$103,168
P75$124,549
P90 (Top)$136,903
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$61,968
P25$93,768
Median$123,291
P75$137,152
P90 (Top)$152,075

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($115,829 effective) pays 13.04% more than Redding ($102,467 effective).

Redding
Nominal: $103,168
CoL Index: 100.684
Adjusted: $102,467
Riverside
Nominal: $123,291
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $115,829

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Redding if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Higher median salary ($123,291/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($152,075)
  • Larger job market (2,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,829)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Redding grew 13.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.3% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Redding, CA

+13.6%

$87,350 (2019) → $99,210 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+30.3%

$90,990 (2019) → $118,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Redding or Riverside?

Riverside has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $123,291/year, compared to Redding at $103,168/year — a difference of $20,123 (19.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Redding and Riverside?

Redding speech-language pathologists earn $49.60/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $59.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Redding to Riverside as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Redding and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Redding = $102,467, Riverside = $115,829), job availability (110 vs 2,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Redding vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $83,171 in Redding and $61,968 in Riverside. The Redding 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