Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Denver, CO: $116,562 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Denver, CO earns a median $116,562/year (≈ $56.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $110,191 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in Denver, Colorado is projected to be $116,562, which marks a significant 14.53% increase above the national median of $101,775. This compensation reflects a range where entry-level positions start at about $76,849, potentially rising to $165,053 for more experienced professionals. These figures stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and underscore the financial opportunities available within Denver's healthcare sector. The city's growing demand for specialized services, coupled with increased acceptance of telepractice, suggests a promising job outlook for speech-language pathologists as they pursue diverse employment avenues.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,849 | $36.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,855 | $47.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,562 | $56.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,635 | $70.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,053 | $79.35 |
Median Salary Position
14.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,204 (2026 est.). At $116,562, the local median is 14.53% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Denver median: $116,562/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $114,727 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +14.53% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Denver, CO earn a median of $116,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.53% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $114,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,562 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,191 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,970
2025 BLS Actual
$112,090
2026 Current Est.
$116,562
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,562 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 20.6% from $92,970 (2019) to $112,090 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,243 (30.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $76,849 – $97,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,855 – $116,562 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,562 – $147,635 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,635 – $165,053 |
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 Denver
With approximately 2,480 speech-language pathologists employed in the local market, Denver presents a robust job landscape. However, the cost of living index at 105.782 indicates that while salaries are competitive, they must also be weighed against higher living expenses. School districts, which account for about 55% of employment in the field, typically offer consistent, albeit lower pay relative to medical settings, where inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities tend to provide higher compensation. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the employment setting, with medical positions commanding higher salaries compared to school-based roles, year-round contracts versus school-year contracts, and bilingual premiums often available in various markets. For aspiring SLPs in Denver, maximizing income could involve seeking out specialized certifications, embracing telepractice roles, or negotiating for specialized board premiums—strategies that position professionals favorably amid a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 $112,090 for speech-language pathologistsin the Denver 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