Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Surprise, AZ: $99,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Surprise, AZ earns a median $99,034/year (≈ $47.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $100,542 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Surprise, Arizona, earn a median annual salary of $99,034, which offers a competitive alternative when compared to the national median of $101,775. With an annual salary range from $64,767 at the 10th percentile to $138,737 at the 90th, these figures highlight the wide variability in compensation based on factors such as experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicate that SLPs in Surprise can develop additional income through telepractice, which has surged significantly since 2020. The job market for speech-language pathologists is promising, particularly in a city where local healthcare and educational institutions contribute to a demand for qualified SLPs.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,767 | $31.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,939 | $37.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,034 | $47.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,687 | $56.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,737 | $66.70 |
Median Salary Position
2.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,970 (2026 est.). At $99,034, the local median is 2.69% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Surprise Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Surprise median: $99,034/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $99,232 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -2.69% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $99,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.69% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $99,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $99,034 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,542 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,989
2025 BLS Actual
$95,234
2026 Current Est.
$99,034
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,989 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,874 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,885 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,234 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $76,989 (2019) to $95,234 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,996 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,767 – $78,939 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,939 – $99,034 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,034 – $117,687 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,687 – $138,737 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Surprise
Currently, there are 31 speech-language pathologists actively employed in Surprise, suggesting a tight-knit professional community amidst a favorable job market environment. The cost of living index in this area sits at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. While school districts represent a substantial segment of employment, it is often within medical settings such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities that SLPs achieve higher pay scales. The disparity in earnings between the lower and upper ends of the salary spectrum can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the type of clinical setting, work calendar, potential stipends for specialized credentials, and opportunities for telepractice work. For those looking to maximize their speech-language pathologist pay in Surprise, pursuing additional certifications, engaging in bilingual services, and remaining flexible with contracting opportunities will be critical steps to achieving financial aspirations in this evolving field.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $95,234 for speech-language pathologistsin the Surprise metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Surprise 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