Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Fullerton, CA: $126,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Fullerton, CA earns a median $126,758/year (≈ $60.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $112,076 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Fullerton, California, can expect a median annual salary of $126,758, which is notably higher than the national median of $101,775. With salaries ranging from $78,238 at the 10th percentile to $176,893 at the 90th percentile, professionals have significant earning potential depending on their experience and setting. These figures are adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, an important consideration in Fullerton, where the cost of living index stands at 113.1, above the national average. Such local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, indicate a favorable job market for speech-language pathologists in this vibrant California city, reflecting a growing demand for services across various clinical settings.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,238 | $37.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,892 | $47.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,758 | $60.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,226 | $72.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,893 | $85.04 |
Median Salary Position
24.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,655 (2026 est.). At $126,758, the local median is 24.55% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $126,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $123,425 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +24.55% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $126,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.55% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 2.70% above the California state average of $123,425.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,758 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,076 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,541
2025 BLS Actual
$121,894
2026 Current Est.
$126,758
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,541 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,235 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,467 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,794 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,208 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,153 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,894 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,815 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $98,541 (2019) to $121,894 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,815 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,274 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $78,238 – $97,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,892 – $126,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,758 – $150,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,226 – $176,893 |
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 Fullerton
Currently, 25 speech-language pathologists are employed in Fullerton, highlighting a modest but stable job market. The slightly elevated cost of living affects take-home pay significantly, impacting purchasing power for SLPs in the region. Higher salaries are typically found in school districts, particularly for SLPs working year-round, as opposed to the more common school-year contracts. Facilities like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities offer competitive salaries due to the specialized care they provide, particularly for dysphagia patients. Additionally, bilingual proficiency can mean premium pay in many cases. Telepractice has also emerged as a lucrative avenue, with 1099 contractors often realizing effective hourly rates that surpass traditional employment scenarios, providing flexibility and income potential. For those navigating the Fullerton job market, securing positions in higher-paying environments or specializing in in-demand areas like telepractice can be crucial strategies for maximizing salary potential in this growing field.
More salary data for Fullerton, 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 $121,894 for speech-language pathologistsin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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