Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Fresno, CA: $115,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Fresno, CA earns a median $115,387/year (≈ $55.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $112,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in Fresno is projected to be $115,387, surpassing the national median of $101,775 by a significant margin. This pay spectrum ranges from $92,489 at the lower end (P10) to $193,806 for the most experienced professionals (P90). The earnings reflect a distinct divide between those employed in schools and those working in medical settings, with school-based positions typically following a school-year contract, resulting in different pay structures. The presence of many educational institutions means that approximately 55% of local speech-language pathologists are based in schools, which shapes the job market and overall salary expectations for the profession throughout Fresno.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,489 | $44.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,170 | $52.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,387 | $55.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,431 | $66.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,806 | $93.18 |
Median Salary Position
13.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,317 (2026 est.). At $115,387, the local median is 13.37% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fresno Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Fresno median: $115,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $123,409 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +13.37% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Fresno, CA earn a median of $115,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.37% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 6.50% below the California state average of $123,409.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,387 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,950 — a 2.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,340
2025 BLS Actual
$110,960
2026 Current Est.
$115,387
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 5.3% from $105,340 (2019) to $110,960 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,651 (13.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $92,489 – $108,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,170 – $115,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,387 – $138,431 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,431 – $193,806 |
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 Fresno
A total of 820 speech-language pathologists currently serve the Fresno area, reflecting a stable local job market. Notably, the cost of living index in Fresno stands at 102.158, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the cost of living slightly exceeds the national average, potentially impacting take-home pay. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation compared to school districts, early intervention programs, and private practices. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as work setting, specialty certification within the board, and the rise of telepractice, which gained traction in recent years. Speech-language pathologists aiming to optimize their earnings in Fresno should consider pursuing year-round positions in medical settings, seeking bilingual opportunities, or engaging in telepractice to tap into wider markets and benefit from higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 $110,960 for speech-language pathologistsin the Fresno 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
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