Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Arizona: $101,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $101,312/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $102,855 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Scottsdale ($100,580), Glendale ($100,226), Chandler ($98,726).
In Arizona, speech-language pathologist salaries in 2026 are projected to average $101,312, which is slightly below the national median of $101,775, representing a difference of -0.5%. The highest salaries can be found in Scottsdale, where the average is $104,593, while Sedona offers the lowest average salary at $93,170, creating a salary gap of $11,423. This disparity is influenced by local cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. Arizona requires specific state licensing for speech-language pathologists, adhering to established scope of practice laws which govern their professional duties. The demand for these professionals is driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of speech and language disorders, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%. With a total employment figure of 3,833 speech-language pathologists, job opportunities are expected to remain steady, particularly in urban centers like Glendale ($104,225), Chandler ($102,665), Phoenix ($101,952), and Gilbert ($101,764). The job market appears stable, suggesting favorable conditions for both current and aspiring professionals in the field.
Arizona Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $59,889 (lowest entry-level) to $186,381 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona speech-language pathologists earn 0.45% less than the national median ($-463/year difference).
Arizona Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Arizona range from $71,397 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $136,236 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,312. The Arizona median is $463 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $48.71/hr. Approximately 3,833 speech-language pathologists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,165
2025 BLS Actual
$97,425
2026 Current Est.
$101,312
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,165 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,073 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,616 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,848 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,425 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,354 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 29.6% from $75,165 (2019) to $97,425 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,354 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,189 (40.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sedona | $93,170 |
| Nogales | $93,491 |
| Oro Valley | $94,080 |
| Sierra Vista | $94,950 |
| Apache Junction | $95,690 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | $104,593 | 98.5 | $106,186 |
| Glendale | $104,225 | 98.5 | $105,812 |
| Lake Havasu City | $98,967 | 94.098 | $105,174 |
| Yuma | $97,439 | 92.706 | $105,105 |
| Chandler | $102,665 | 98.5 | $104,228 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,397 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,312 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $136,236 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale | $104,593 |
| 2 | Glendale | $104,225 |
| 3 | Chandler | $102,665 |
| 4 | Phoenix | $101,952 |
| 5 | Gilbert | $101,764 |
| 6 | Mesa | $101,458 |
| 7 | Peoria | $101,432 |
| 8 | Maricopa | $100,602 |
| 9 | Avondale | $100,452 |
| 10 | Marana | $100,075 |
| 11 | Flagstaff | $100,028 |
| 12 | San Tan Valley | $99,785 |
| 13 | Tempe | $99,667 |
| 14 | Tucson | $99,258 |
| 15 | Prescott Valley | $99,238 |
| 16 | Surprise | $99,034 |
| 17 | Lake Havasu City | $98,967 |
| 18 | Goodyear | $98,881 |
| 19 | Prescott | $98,709 |
| 20 | Kingman | $98,678 |
| 21 | Queen Creek | $98,464 |
| 22 | Buckeye | $97,545 |
| 23 | Yuma | $97,439 |
| 24 | Florence | $96,883 |
| 25 | Casa Grande | $96,671 |
| 26 | Bullhead City | $96,660 |
| 27 | El Mirage | $96,228 |
| 28 | Sahuarita | $95,812 |
| 29 | Apache Junction | $95,690 |
| 30 | Sierra Vista | $94,950 |
| 31 | Oro Valley | $94,080 |
| 32 | Nogales | $93,491 |
| 33 | Sedona | $93,170 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Arizona?
How does Arizona speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Arizona?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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