SLP Salary

Spokane vs Tukwila: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Spokane, WA
$104,510
$50.25/hr
Tukwila, WA
$98,432
$47.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WATukwila, WA
Median Salary$104,510$98,432
Hourly Rate$50.25$47.33
Entry Level (P10)$75,757$69,075
25th Percentile$83,858$78,942
75th Percentile$111,976$111,758
Top Earner (P90)$126,930$126,220
Total Employed3704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($104,510) and Tukwila ($98,432) speech-language pathologist salaries.SpokaneTukwilaMedian Salary$104,510$98,432Entry Level (P10)$75,757$69,075Top Earner (P90)$126,930$126,220US Median $101,775

Verdict

Spokane, WA offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tukwila.

The salary gap between Spokane and Tukwila is $6,078 (6.17%). Spokane's median is +2.69% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane spans $51,173,Tukwila spans $57,145. Tukwila has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$75,757
P25$83,858
Median$104,510
P75$111,976
P90 (Top)$126,930
Tukwila
P10 (Entry)$69,075
P25$78,942
Median$98,432
P75$111,758
P90 (Top)$126,220

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($104,150 effective) pays 13.64% more than Tukwila ($91,650 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $104,510
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $104,150
Tukwila
Nominal: $98,432
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $91,650

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,510/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,930)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,150)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tukwila if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Spokane grew 40.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.7% growth in Tukwila over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+40.2%

$71,680 (2019) → $100,500 (2025)

Tukwila, WA

+-0.7%

$95,301 (2024) → $94,655 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Spokane or Tukwila?

Spokane has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $104,510/year, compared to Tukwila at $98,432/year — a difference of $6,078 (6.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and Tukwila?

Spokane speech-language pathologists earn $50.25/hr while Tukwila hygienists earn $47.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Spokane to Tukwila as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and Tukwila. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $104,150, Tukwila = $91,650), job availability (370 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Spokane vs Tukwila?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $75,757 in Spokane and $69,075 in Tukwila. The Spokane 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