Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Delaware: $102,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $102,410/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $100,698 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($101,789), Dover ($98,930), Newark ($98,892).
In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Delaware is projected at $102,410, which is slightly above the national median of $101,775, reflecting a difference of 0.6%. Wilmington is the highest-paying city in the state, with a projected salary of $105,850, while Middletown is at the lower end with a salary of $95,633, highlighting a gap of $10,217. This difference is primarily influenced by the cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas like Wilmington. Delaware has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that govern the profession, which can also impact salaries. These regulations ensure that practitioners meet state standards, which can create a consistent demand for qualified professionals. The job market for speech-language pathologists in Delaware appears strong, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, indicating a steady increase in opportunities within the field. Top projected salaries for other cities include $102,877 in Dover, $102,838 in Newark, $99,191 in Bear, and $95,890 in Smyrna. Understanding these regional differences can help prospective speech-language pathologists make informed career choices and negotiate salaries effectively.
Delaware Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $64,077 (lowest entry-level) to $140,688 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware speech-language pathologists earn 0.62% more than the national median (+$635/year difference).
Delaware Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Delaware range from $80,408 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $133,754 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $102,410. The Delaware median is $635 above the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $49.23/hr. Approximately 152 speech-language pathologists are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,980
2025 BLS Actual
$98,481
2026 Current Est.
$102,410
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,251 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,481 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.1% from $79,980 (2019) to $98,481 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,516 (33.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $95,633 |
| Smyrna | $95,890 |
| Bear | $99,191 |
| Newark | $102,838 |
| Dover | $102,877 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $102,877 | 97.507 | $105,507 |
| Wilmington | $105,850 | 101.7 | $104,081 |
| Newark | $102,838 | 101.7 | $101,119 |
| Bear | $99,191 | 101.7 | $97,533 |
| Smyrna | $95,890 | 101.7 | $94,287 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,408 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $102,410 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $133,754 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $105,850 |
| 2 | Dover | $102,877 |
| 3 | Newark | $102,838 |
| 4 | Bear | $99,191 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $95,890 |
| 6 | Middletown | $95,633 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Delaware cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Delaware?
How does Delaware speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Delaware?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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