SLP Salary

Richmond vs Woodbridge: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Richmond, VA and Woodbridge, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$99,914
$48.03/hr
Woodbridge, VA
$93,382
$44.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VAWoodbridge, VA
Median Salary$99,914$93,382
Hourly Rate$48.03$44.89
Entry Level (P10)$70,401$64,699
25th Percentile$84,783$76,682
75th Percentile$121,450$105,055
Top Earner (P90)$129,780$128,276
Total Employed7709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($99,914) and Woodbridge ($93,382) speech-language pathologist salaries.RichmondWoodbridgeMedian Salary$99,914$93,382Entry Level (P10)$70,401$64,699Top Earner (P90)$129,780$128,276US Median $101,775

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodbridge.

The salary gap between Richmond and Woodbridge is $6,532 (6.99%). Richmond's median is -1.83% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $59,379,Woodbridge spans $63,577. Woodbridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$70,401
P25$84,783
Median$99,914
P75$121,450
P90 (Top)$129,780
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$64,699
P25$76,682
Median$93,382
P75$105,055
P90 (Top)$128,276

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($102,101 effective) pays 12.84% more than Woodbridge ($90,486 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $99,914
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $102,101
Woodbridge
Nominal: $93,382
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $90,486

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,914/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,780)
  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,101)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Woodbridge if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Richmond grew 17.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.2% growth in Woodbridge over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+17.6%

$81,670 (2019) → $96,080 (2025)

Woodbridge, VA

+5.2%

$85,322 (2024) → $89,799 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Richmond or Woodbridge?

Richmond has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $99,914/year, compared to Woodbridge at $93,382/year — a difference of $6,532 (6.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Woodbridge?

Richmond speech-language pathologists earn $48.03/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $44.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Woodbridge as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $102,101, Woodbridge = $90,486), job availability (770 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Richmond vs Woodbridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $70,401 in Richmond and $64,699 in Woodbridge. The Richmond 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