Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay in Watertown, NY: $45.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a speech-language pathologist working in Watertown, NY runs $45.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,778 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,272 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Watertown, a speech-language pathologist commands a median hourly rate of $45.09, which is slightly below the national median of $48.93. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for part-time or per-diem SLPs who may work in various settings such as schools, outpatient clinics, or telepractice. For instance, a part-time therapist working three days a week could expect to earn around $1,081 weekly for a typical full day of work, which can facilitate a decent living. The hourly pay in Watertown ranges significantly from $32.12 for entry-level positions to as much as $62.07 for seasoned professionals, making this a flexible occupation for both new graduates entering the workforce and experienced SLPs seeking to maximize compensation.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.12 | $256.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.83 | $326.61 |
| Median (P50) | $45.09 | $360.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.70 | $421.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.07 | $496.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $45.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.09/hr, a speech-language pathologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, NY can expect to earn approximately $93,787 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,108. With a cost-of-living index of 87.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,803.60 | $7,816 | $93,787 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,082.16 | $4,689 | $56,272 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $721.44 | $3,126 | $37,515 |
Compare SLP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologist (Watertown) | $45.09 |
| 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 Watertown, NY earn a median of $93,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.86% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 7.80% above the New York state average of $86,993.
Speech-Language Pathologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.09/hr = $56,272/year (purchasing power: $64,172).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,787/year (purchasing power: $106,953).
CoL index: 87.69 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Watertown grew 34.4% from $32.25/hr (2019) to $43.36/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.89/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
When examining part-time potential, a speech-language pathologist working 24 hours a week can take home approximately $40,000 annually, a figure that highlights how part-time roles, while offering flexibility, result in substantial differences from full-time earnings. Per diem speech-language pathologists in Watertown can often charge between $50 and $75 per hour, depending on the specific needs of their client base, especially in settings that require specialized skills like dysphagia management where rates can reach $80 to $110. Various employers contribute to a diverse range of hourly rates; for example, public school districts often offer lower hourly wages than hospital or skilled nursing facility positions, which typically afford higher salaries due to the medical focus. Negotiation is key in this competitive market, especially when weighing benefits; some SLPs might prioritize a lower hourly rate that includes health insurance over a higher rate without benefits. For those in the field, understanding the local context of speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Watertown can be invaluable when making career decisions.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for speech-language pathologists in Watertown in 2026?
How much do part-time speech-language pathologists make in Watertown?
Are speech-language pathologists in Watertown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time speech-language pathologist make per year in Watertown?
Do speech-language pathologists earn more per hour working part-time in Watertown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 Watertown. 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