Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Washington, DC: $49.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Washington, DC runs $49.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,948 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Washington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.9, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,372 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, the projected median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists is $49.98, which is slightly above the national median of $48.93. This rate is beneficial for both part-time therapists working three days a week and per-diem clinicians, as it opens opportunities across varied settings, including school therapy rooms, hospital environments, outpatient clinics, and telepractice sessions. For those entering the field, hourly earnings range from approximately $36.40 to $67.91, reflecting the diversity of case complexity and employer type. This official BLS data indicates robust compensation strategies that account for the high demand for skilled professionals in the area, particularly given the specialized needs in schools and hospitals for effective communication therapy services.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.40 | $291.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.91 | $311.30 |
| Median (P50) | $49.98 | $399.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.85 | $518.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.91 | $543.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Washington
Based on $49.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.98/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Washington, DC can expect to earn approximately $103,953 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,973. With a cost-of-living index of 108.88 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Washington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Washington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,999.10 | $8,663 | $103,953 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,199.46 | $5,198 | $62,372 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $799.64 | $3,465 | $41,581 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Washington) | $49.98 |
| 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 Washington, DC earn a median of $103,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.14% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 12.70% below the District of Columbia state average of $119,070.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.98/hr = $62,372/year (purchasing power: $57,283).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,953/year (purchasing power: $95,472).
CoL index: 108.884 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Washington grew 7.2% from $44.83/hr (2019) to $48.06/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.97/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 Washington 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 Washington
Part-time speech-language pathologists who work a typical schedule of three days per week, averaging around 24 hours, can anticipate an annual take-home pay of roughly $61,197, markedly less than their full-time counterparts but still competitive given the flexibility of their role. Per-diem positions present another facet of this profession; SLPs who accept such contracts can often bill between $50 to $75 per hour for general practice, while specialists in dysphagia may earn even more, ranging from $80 to $110 per hour. In Washington, the hourly rates offered can vary significantly across employer types—school districts generally provide lower pay compared to outpatient clinics and hospitals that often prioritize medical SLPs. It’s crucial for practitioners to weigh the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits, especially since some practitioners prioritize stable benefits over higher rates. Negotiation tactics in this market should emphasize specialties and certifications, particularly for emerging trends in telepractice that gained traction post-pandemic.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
Career Resources
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 Washington. 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