Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Plymouth, MA: $65,340 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Plymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,340 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,221 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,135) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting as a speech-language pathologist in Plymouth, Massachusetts, offers promising financial prospects for new graduates in 2026. With entry-level salaries beginning around $65,340, recent MS or MA-SLP graduates can expect to gradually increase their earnings as they gain experience. This starting point is considerably below the median annual salary for all speech-language pathologists in Plymouth, which is projected at $103,135, creating a notable gap for early-career professionals. Over the first few years, many can anticipate moving toward the $80,431 figure at the 25th percentile, particularly as they complete their Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) and achieve the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Overall, Plymouth appears to be a viable market for new graduates, given its supportive environment and the 3.99% anticipated growth rate in speech-language pathology positions.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plymouth
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Plymouth, MA typically start between $65,340 and $80,431 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $75,748 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,135 — 1.34% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Massachusetts of $125,000 represents just 191.31% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($65,340/year) in Plymouth. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAA-accredited Master's in Speech-Language Pathology programs. Tuition varies widely between public in-state and private institutions; most programs also require a Clinical Fellowship Year for ASHA certification.
SLP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Plymouth
- 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $65,340 to $80,431, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the speech-language pathology field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Plymouth, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plymouth's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Speech-Language Pathologist Compensation Range
The speech-language pathologist wage spread in Plymouth is $75,748 ( 115.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,340, experienced hygienists can earn up to $141,088.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,787
2025 BLS Actual
$62,833
2026 Current Est.
$65,340
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,316 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,833 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,340 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,947 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MA grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,787 in 2019 to $62,833 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,947. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your speech-language pathology Career in Plymouth
For those entering the field, Plymouth boasts a variety of employers open to hiring new graduates. School districts make up a significant portion of local opportunities, often providing structured mentorship programs through the CFY, which helps smooth the transition from academia to professional practice. Additionally, hospital systems frequently offer residency tracks specifically for aspiring medical speech-language pathologists, while pediatric private practices may even provide sign-on bonuses to attract new talent during times of shortage. To enhance starting pay as a new grad speech-language pathologist in MA, credentials such as a degree from a CAA-accredited program, state licensure, and optional board certifications can make a notable difference. In the first three years, recent graduates should prepare for gradual salary advancements as they gain specialized experience, particularly in environments like skilled nursing facilities or telepractice, which have seen substantial growth. This structured approach can lead to more lucrative opportunities and a fulfilling career path in the long term.
More salary data for Plymouth, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new speech-language pathology graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Plymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plymouth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127).
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