SLP Salary

Seattle vs Shoreline: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Seattle, WA
$113,027
$54.33/hr
Shoreline, WA
$106,813
$51.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAShoreline, WA
Median Salary$113,027$106,813
Hourly Rate$54.33$51.35
Entry Level (P10)$88,589$67,014
25th Percentile$102,950$82,808
75th Percentile$133,014$124,839
Top Earner (P90)$140,303$145,300
Total Employed1,9108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($113,027) and Shoreline ($106,813) speech-language pathologist salaries.SeattleShorelineMedian Salary$113,027$106,813Entry Level (P10)$88,589$67,014Top Earner (P90)$140,303$145,300US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Shoreline is $6,214 (5.82%). Seattle's median is +11.06% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $51,714,Shoreline spans $78,286. Shoreline has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$88,589
P25$102,950
Median$113,027
P75$133,014
P90 (Top)$140,303
Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$67,014
P25$82,808
Median$106,813
P75$124,839
P90 (Top)$145,300

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($101,704 effective) pays 2.26% more than Shoreline ($99,453 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $113,027
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $101,704
Shoreline
Nominal: $106,813
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $99,453

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,027/year)
  • Larger job market (1,910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,704)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Shoreline if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($145,300)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Seattle grew 39.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.7% growth in Shoreline over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+39.0%

$78,210 (2019) → $108,690 (2025)

Shoreline, WA

+-0.7%

$103,416 (2024) → $102,715 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Seattle or Shoreline?

Seattle has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $113,027/year, compared to Shoreline at $106,813/year — a difference of $6,214 (5.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Shoreline?

Seattle speech-language pathologists earn $54.33/hr while Shoreline hygienists earn $51.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Shoreline as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Shoreline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $101,704, Shoreline = $99,453), job availability (1,910 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Seattle vs Shoreline?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $88,589 in Seattle and $67,014 in Shoreline. The Seattle 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