SLP Salary

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

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

Seattle, WA
$113,027
$54.33/hr
Vancouver, WA
$112,666
$54.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAVancouver, WA
Median Salary$113,027$112,666
Hourly Rate$54.33$54.17
Entry Level (P10)$88,589$68,112
25th Percentile$102,950$89,837
75th Percentile$133,014$136,409
Top Earner (P90)$140,303$162,082
Total Employed1,91037
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($113,027) and Vancouver ($112,666) speech-language pathologist salaries.SeattleVancouverMedian Salary$113,027$112,666Entry Level (P10)$88,589$68,112Top Earner (P90)$140,303$162,082US Median $101,775

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Vancouver is $361 (0.32%). 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,Vancouver spans $93,970. Vancouver 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
Vancouver
P10 (Entry)$68,112
P25$89,837
Median$112,666
P75$136,409
P90 (Top)$162,082

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vancouver ($104,903 effective) pays 3.15% more than Seattle ($101,704 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $113,027
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $101,704
Vancouver
Nominal: $112,666
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $104,903

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)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Vancouver if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($162,082)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,903)
  • 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 3.4% growth in Vancouver over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+39.0%

$78,210 (2019) → $108,690 (2025)

Vancouver, WA

+3.4%

$104,806 (2024) → $108,343 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Seattle has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $113,027/year, compared to Vancouver at $112,666/year — a difference of $361 (0.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Vancouver?

Seattle speech-language pathologists earn $54.33/hr while Vancouver hygienists earn $54.17/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Vancouver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $101,704, Vancouver = $104,903), job availability (1,910 vs 37 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $88,589 in Seattle and $68,112 in Vancouver. 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