Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Maryland: $104,170 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $104,170/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,306 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($108,457), Gaithersburg ($107,753), Germantown ($107,677).
In Maryland, the projected average median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $104,171, slightly above the national median of $101,775, resulting in a difference of 2.4%. Aspen Hill offers the highest average salary at $112,784, while Hagerstown shows the lowest at $85,386, creating a gap of $27,398 between these cities. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Maryland has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact earning potential and job responsibilities. Significant drivers of demand include the state's aging population and increased awareness of speech and language disorders. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.99% for speech-language pathologist roles, the job market indicates a positive outlook for this profession in the coming years. Top-paying cities besides Aspen Hill include Gaithersburg at $112,052, Germantown at $111,973, Ellicott City at $111,719, and Waldorf at $111,603. As the demand for communication and swallowing specialists continues to grow, Maryland's speech-language pathologists can expect a stable and evolving job market.
Maryland Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $60,709 (lowest entry-level) to $153,491 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland speech-language pathologists earn 2.35% more than the national median (+$2,395/year difference).
Maryland Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Maryland range from $67,085 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $133,260 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,170. The Maryland median is $2,395 above the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $50.09/hr. Approximately 2,393 speech-language pathologists are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,119
2025 BLS Actual
$100,174
2026 Current Est.
$104,170
2019–2027 Growth
+28.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,119 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,218 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,157 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,494 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,174 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,170 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 19.1% from $84,119 (2019) to $100,174 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,208 (28.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $85,386 |
| Salisbury | $99,518 |
| Cumberland | $102,964 |
| Towson | $104,788 |
| Lexington Park | $104,905 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $104,905 | 100.76 | $104,114 |
| Salisbury | $99,518 | 95.617 | $104,080 |
| Aspen Hill | $112,784 | 109.3 | $103,188 |
| Gaithersburg | $112,052 | 109.3 | $102,518 |
| Germantown | $111,973 | 109.3 | $102,446 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $67,085 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,170 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $133,260 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $112,784 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $112,052 |
| 3 | Germantown | $111,973 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $111,719 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $111,603 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $111,225 |
| 7 | Bowie | $110,696 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $110,352 |
| 9 | Frederick | $108,829 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $108,805 |
| 11 | Severn | $108,802 |
| 12 | College Park | $108,589 |
| 13 | Rockville | $108,449 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $108,396 |
| 15 | Potomac | $107,881 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $107,446 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $107,446 |
| 18 | Columbia | $107,094 |
| 19 | Odenton | $107,079 |
| 20 | Catonsville | $106,207 |
| 21 | Laurel | $105,672 |
| 22 | Greenbelt | $105,323 |
| 23 | Baltimore | $105,196 |
| 24 | Lexington Park | $104,905 |
| 25 | Towson | $104,788 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $102,964 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $99,518 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $85,386 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Maryland?
How does Maryland speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Maryland?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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