Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $65.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in San Francisco, CA runs $65.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,071 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,644 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, a speech-language pathologist earns a median hourly rate of $65.42, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $48.93. This elevated pay reflects the city's high cost of living and competitive job market, making it advantageous for both full-time and part-time clinicians. SLPs working three days a week might find themselves well compensated in various settings, such as school therapy rooms and telepractice sessions, allowing for flexible schedules. Additionally, those in senior roles can earn up to $81.80 per hour, while entry-level practitioners may start at $48.99 per hour, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. These figures give a clearer picture of the potential earnings for per diem assignments or agency work in the thriving San Francisco area.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.99 | $391.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.33 | $450.65 |
| Median (P50) | $65.42 | $523.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.86 | $574.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.80 | $654.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $65.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.42/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $136,074 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,504. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,616.80 | $11,339 | $136,074 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,570.08 | $6,804 | $81,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,046.72 | $4,536 | $54,430 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (San Francisco) | $65.42 |
| Audiologist (National Avg) | $43.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| School / Educational Counselor (National Avg) | $30.85 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $31.40 |
Speech-Language Pathologists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $136,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.70% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 10.30% above the California state average of $123,364.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.42/hr = $81,644/year (purchasing power: $70,619).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,074/year (purchasing power: $117,698).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in San Francisco grew 34.5% from $46.77/hr (2019) to $62.91/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.03/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem speech-language pathologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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.
Working as an Hourly Speech-Language Pathologist in San Francisco
For part-time clinicians, working as a speech-language pathologist three days a week could yield an annual take-home amount significantly different from the full-time experience. Based on a 24-hour work week, an SLP could earn around $100,000 annually, substantially boosting the financial appeal of part-time work. In the per-diem realm, speech-language pathologists in San Francisco typically bill between $50 to $75 per hour, while medical SLPs focusing on dysphagia can command $80 to $110 per hour in cash practices. Hourly rates also vary widely across employer types; school districts tend to pay lower compared to specialized medical settings like rehabilitation hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. While some practitioners may choose to accept lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize the higher hourly rates offered in contract or telepractice positions. When negotiating pay, it's advisable to consider the full compensation package, including work-life balance and opportunities for professional development.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in San Francisco in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for speech-language pathologists in San Francisco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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