Entry-Level Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Wilsonville, OR: $70,671 (2026)
Quick Answer:New speech-language pathologists entering the Wilsonville, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,671 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1127, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilsonville's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,880 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,159) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the speech-language pathology field in Wilsonville, Oregon, can expect a starting salary around $70,671, which reflects the 10th percentile of earnings for this profession. While this initial pay is lower than the city median of $103,159, it positions new speech-language pathologists on a positive trajectory for salary growth within their first few years of practice. The increased earning potential is notable, as entry-level professionals may move towards higher salaries, reaching approximately $82,147 after gaining more experience, and hovering towards the median after three to five years. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, Wilsonville presents a favorable job market for new graduates eager to launch their careers in speech-language pathology.
About the Wilsonville Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilsonville
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 Wilsonville
Entry-level speech-language pathologists in Wilsonville, OR typically start between $70,671 and $82,147 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $66,954 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,159 — 1.36% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average speech-language pathology program cost in Oregon of $90,000 represents just 127.35% of the starting speech-language pathologist pay ($70,671/year) in Wilsonville. 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 Wilsonville
- 1Research the Wilsonville market: entry-level speech-language pathologist pay ranges from $70,671 to $82,147, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wilsonville, 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 Wilsonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilsonville'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 Wilsonville is $66,954 ( 94.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,671, experienced hygienists can earn up to $137,625.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,849
2025 BLS Actual
$67,959
2026 Current Est.
$70,671
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Wilsonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,849 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,421 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,437 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,904 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,568 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,209 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,671 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,490 | Projected |
Entry-level speech-language pathologist compensation (10th percentile) in Wilsonville, OR grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,849 in 2019 to $67,959 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,490. New graduates entering the Wilsonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville
Employers in Wilsonville actively seek to hire newly graduated speech-language pathologists, particularly in school districts, which account for about 55% of SLP positions in the area. These institutions often provide structured mentorship during the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), ensuring that new professionals develop the necessary skills while garnering competitive entry-level pay. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) also serve as potential employers, with medical SLP roles focused on dysphagia often offering higher salaries. After earning a master's degree from a CAA-accredited program, obtaining the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) is crucial, and having state licensure is mandatory. Professionals can further enhance their credentials with board certifications. Within the initial years, while salaries may start lower, newer clinicians can look forward to significant pay increases as they gain experience in this expanding field, especially given the growing trends in telepractice and other service delivery models.
More salary data for Wilsonville, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for speech-language pathologists in Wilsonville in 2026?
How fast do speech-language pathologist salaries grow in Wilsonville?
Is speech-language pathology school worth it in Wilsonville?
What do new speech-language pathologists make right out of school in Wilsonville?
How do I become a speech-language pathologist in Oregon?
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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 Wilsonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilsonville 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