SLP Salary

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

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

Riverside, CA
$123,291
$59.27/hr
Turlock, CA
$120,670
$58.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CATurlock, CA
Median Salary$123,291$120,670
Hourly Rate$59.27$58.02
Entry Level (P10)$61,968$80,342
25th Percentile$93,768$97,118
75th Percentile$137,152$144,695
Top Earner (P90)$152,075$169,788
Total Employed2,12017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($123,291) and Turlock ($120,670) speech-language pathologist salaries.RiversideTurlockMedian Salary$123,291$120,670Entry Level (P10)$61,968$80,342Top Earner (P90)$152,075$169,788US Median $101,775

Verdict

Riverside, CA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Turlock.

The salary gap between Riverside and Turlock is $2,621 (2.17%). 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 Riverside spans $90,107,Turlock spans $89,446. Riverside has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$61,968
P25$93,768
Median$123,291
P75$137,152
P90 (Top)$152,075
Turlock
P10 (Entry)$80,342
P25$97,118
Median$120,670
P75$144,695
P90 (Top)$169,788

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($115,829 effective) pays 8.56% more than Turlock ($106,693 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $123,291
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $115,829
Turlock
Nominal: $120,670
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $106,693

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

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

Choose Turlock if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($169,788)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Riverside grew 30.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.0% growth in Turlock over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+30.3%

$90,990 (2019) → $118,560 (2025)

Turlock, CA

+-1.0%

$117,239 (2024) → $116,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Riverside has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $123,291/year, compared to Turlock at $120,670/year — a difference of $2,621 (2.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Turlock?

Riverside speech-language pathologists earn $59.27/hr while Turlock hygienists earn $58.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Turlock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $115,829, Turlock = $106,693), job availability (2,120 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $61,968 in Riverside and $80,342 in Turlock. The Turlock 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