Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Brea, CA: $117,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Brea, CA earns a median $117,074/year (≈ $56.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $103,514 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Speech-language pathologists in Brea, CA, enjoy competitive compensation, with a median annual salary projected at $117,074 for 2026. This figure reflects a robust market, especially for those with specialized skills in dysphagia and medical SLP roles, which command higher pay. The salary range for professionals in the field spans from $78,489 at the 10th percentile to $157,587 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential based on experience and specialization. These estimates arise from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors, which exceed the national average, suggesting that Brea’s market is particularly promising for SLPs looking to advance their careers.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,489 | $37.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,289 | $45.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,074 | $56.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,923 | $65.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,587 | $75.77 |
Median Salary Position
15.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,098 (2026 est.). At $117,074, the local median is 15.03% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Brea median: $117,074/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $123,366 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +15.03% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Brea, CA earn a median of $117,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.03% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 5.10% below the California state average of $123,366.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,074 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,514 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,013
2025 BLS Actual
$112,582
2026 Current Est.
$117,074
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,013 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,578 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,788 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,712 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,745 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,582 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $91,013 (2019) to $112,582 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,732 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $78,489 – $94,289 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,289 – $117,074 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,074 – $136,923 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,923 – $157,587 |
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 Brea
The local job market, with only ten employed speech-language pathologists, presents both challenges and opportunities for new graduates and experienced clinicians alike. Brea's cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, implying that while salaries are high compared to the national average, the increased living expenses may affect purchasing power. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically provide the highest wages, often due to their needs for specialized skills in rehabilitation settings. Conversely, school districts, which employ a large percentage of SLPs, may offer lower pay due to their traditional hiring contracts and budget constraints. Factors contributing to salary variability include employment setting, the length of employment contracts, and specialized certifications such as board specialties or bilingual capabilities. For those seeking to maximize their speech-language pathologist salary in Brea, pursuing opportunities in medical facilities or obtaining additional certifications can significantly enhance both job prospects and earning potential.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Brea?
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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 $112,582 for speech-language pathologistsin the Brea 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 Brea 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