Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Downey, CA: $124,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Downey, CA earns a median $124,943/year (≈ $60.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Downey's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $110,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Downey, California, can expect a median annual salary of $124,943, which stands significantly higher than the national median of $101,775. The salary spectrum here ranges from $74,264 at the 10th percentile to $178,744 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse range of pay opportunities depending on experience, certification, and work settings. These estimates reflect local adjustments based on data from BLS state-level sources and regional price comparisons. Notably, the employment structure in Downey shows a clear distinction between school-based positions and those in medical settings, often resulting in variances in annual contracts and overall job security, which shapes the local market for speech-language pathologists.
About the Downey Market
Salary estimated from California average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,264 | $35.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,044 | $47.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,943 | $60.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,679 | $72.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,744 | $85.94 |
Median Salary Position
22.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downey
In Downey, CA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,480 (2026 est.). At $124,943, the local median is 22.76% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downey Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Downey median: $124,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $123,340 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +22.76% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Downey, CA earn a median of $124,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.76% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.30% above the California state average of $123,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downey has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downey, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,943 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,471 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,131
2025 BLS Actual
$120,149
2026 Current Est.
$124,943
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Downey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,131 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,057 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,294 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,616 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,928 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downey metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $97,131 (2019) to $120,149 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,928 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,797 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downey 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) | $74,264 – $99,044 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,044 – $124,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,943 – $150,679 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,679 – $178,744 |
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 Downey
With 22 employed speech-language pathologists in the area, Downey's job market is relatively focused. The cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that expenses are above the national average, which can impact the purchasing power of salaries in the region. Among various employers, school districts tend to provide the most positions, but those in medical settings, such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, usually offer higher compensation packages. The salary variance is influenced by several factors, including differing contract types, with school-year positions often offering lower pay compared to year-round roles in medical facilities, where dysphagia and other specialized skills are in high demand. Furthermore, bilingual SLPs may command higher rates, particularly in telepractice roles that have seen significant growth since 2020. To maximize earnings in the Downey market, SLPs should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring telepractice opportunities, and networking for lucrative contract positions, especially in specialized areas.
More salary data for Downey, 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 $120,149 for speech-language pathologistsin the Downey 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 Downey 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