Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Daly City, CA: $126,647 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Daly City, CA earns a median $126,647/year (≈ $60.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,978 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Daly City, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,647, significantly higher than the national median of $101,775, reflecting a 24.44% premium. The overall salary range for these professionals varies widely, from $77,995 at the 10th percentile to as much as $171,799 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight a dynamic compensation environment influenced by the structural divide between school-based and medical SLP roles. While school districts represent a major portion of employment opportunities, offering contracts that typically align with the academic year, those in medical settings—like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities—often command higher salaries due to the nature and complexity of the services they provide.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,995 | $37.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,675 | $46.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,647 | $60.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,160 | $70.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,799 | $82.60 |
Median Salary Position
24.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,804 (2026 est.). At $126,647, the local median is 24.44% above the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be above the median
How Daly City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Daly City median: $126,647/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $123,438 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +24.44% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $126,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.44% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 2.60% above the California state average of $123,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,647 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,978 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,456
2025 BLS Actual
$121,788
2026 Current Est.
$126,647
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,456 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,148 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,381 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,703 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,111 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,788 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,647 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,701 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $98,456 (2019) to $121,788 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,701 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,245 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $77,995 – $97,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,675 – $126,647 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,647 – $147,160 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,160 – $171,799 |
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 Daly City
Only 20 speech-language pathologists currently practice in Daly City, which adds a layer of competition within the local job market. The area's cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average expense for residents, which can impact take-home pay significantly. Among local employers, school districts and hospital settings generally offer the most competitive salaries, with opportunities in outpatient clinics and early intervention programs also presenting viable options. The pay gap in this field is driven by various factors, including the setting of practice—medical roles typically yield greater compensation than positions in schools. Strategies for maximizing pay include seeking year-round contracts in medical facilities, obtaining board specialty certifications, and pursuing bilingual positions that come with additional stipends. Understanding the characteristics of the Daly City market can significantly influence one's potential earnings in the field.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
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 $121,788 for speech-language pathologistsin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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