SLP Salary

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Massachusetts: $105,295 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $105,295/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $97,046 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($102,810), Barnstable Town ($102,800), Newton ($101,983).

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Massachusetts - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Massachusetts speech-language pathologist salary overview (2026)
$105,295
Avg Median Salary
$50.62
Avg Hourly Rate
5,607
Metro Employed
59
Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Massachusetts is projected to be $105,295, which is 3.5% higher than the national median of $101,775. The highest-paying city in the state is Boston, where speech-language pathologists can expect to earn $106,912, while those in Northampton can anticipate a lower salary of $93,306, resulting in a salary gap of $13,606. This disparity can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for speech therapy services, and funding availability in urban versus rural areas. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements and state laws governing the practice of speech-language pathology, which can influence job opportunities and salaries. The demand for skilled professionals in this field is driven by the need for services in schools, healthcare facilities, and private practices. The job market shows a healthy outlook with a projected growth rate of 3.99% annually through 2026, indicating a steady demand for professionals. With a total of 5,607 speech-language pathologists employed across 59 metro areas, opportunities are likely to remain strong, particularly in cities like Boston, Barnstable Town, and Newton, where salaries are among the highest in the state.

Massachusetts Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$72,697
avg across 59 cities
Median
$105,295
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$135,094
avg across 59 cities

Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $61,189 (lowest entry-level) to $146,977 (highest top earner)

Massachusetts vs National Average

Massachusetts
$105,295
National Median
$101,775

Massachusetts speech-language pathologists earn 3.46% more than the national median (+$3,520/year difference).

Massachusetts Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Massachusetts speech-language pathologist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $72,697, 25th $86,435, Median $105,295, 75th $122,927, 90th $135,094. US national median is $101,775.$37.8K$75.7K$113.5K$151.3K$72.7K10thEntry Level$86.4K25thEarly Career$105.3KMedianMid Career$122.9K75thExperienced$135.1K90thTop EarnerUS Median $101.8K

Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Massachusetts range from $72,697 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $135,094 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,295. The Massachusetts median is $3,520 above the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $50.62/hr. Approximately 5,607 speech-language pathologists are employed across 59 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$85,553

2025 BLS Actual

$101,255

2026 Current Est.

$105,295

2019–2027 Growth

+28.0%

Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Massachusetts (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for speech-language pathologists in Massachusetts. Baseline $85,553 in 2025, projected to $109,497 by 2027.$80.5K$89.0K$97.4K$105.9K$114.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$85.6K$85.3K$93.5K$94.0K$98.6K$101.2K$101.3K$105.3K$109.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$85,553Actual
2020$85,326Actual
2021$93,461Actual
2022$94,050Actual
2023$98,588Actual
2024$101,185Actual
2025$101,255Actual
2026(current)$105,295Estimated
2027$109,497Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 18.4% from $85,553 (2019) to $101,255 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,497 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,944 (27.99%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Massachusetts

#1
Boston
3,720 employed · $51.40/hr
$106,912
+1.54% vs avg
#2
Barnstable Town
140 employed · $51.39/hr
$106,902
+1.53% vs avg
#3
Newton
16 employed · $50.99/hr
$106,052
+0.72% vs avg
#4
Lynn
24 employed · $50.58/hr
$105,210
-0.08% vs avg
#5
Cambridge
22 employed · $50.18/hr
$104,359
-0.89% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts

CityMedian Salary
Northampton$93,306
Amherst Town$94,558
Andover$96,989
Leominster$97,228
Wellesley$97,316

Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Massachusetts

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Barnstable Town$106,90298.351$108,694
Springfield$100,74696.061$104,877
Pittsfield$98,41695.106$103,480
Worcester$104,125102.523$101,563
Boston$106,912108.266$98,749

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$72,697
Mid Career (3-7 years)$105,295
Experienced (7+ years)$135,094

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 59 Cities in Massachusetts

#CityMedian Salary
1Boston$106,912
2Barnstable Town$106,902
3Newton$106,052
4Lynn$105,210
5Cambridge$104,359
6Worcester$104,125
7Somerville$103,833
8Revere$103,671
9Brockton$103,315
10New Bedford$103,199
11Plymouth$103,135
12Malden$102,762
13Haverhill$102,745
14Lowell$102,719
15Framingham$102,672
16Peabody$102,534
17Weymouth$102,226
18Chicopee$101,919
19Randolph$101,806
20Quincy$101,626
21Amherst$101,505
22Chelsea$101,496
23Medford$101,221
24Fall River$101,123
25Marlborough$101,123
26Watertown$101,107
27Fitchburg$101,027
28Methuen$100,989
29Taunton$100,944
30Arlington$100,909
31Springfield$100,746
32Needham$100,646
33Westfield$100,598
34Everett$100,582
35Holyoke$100,065
36Beverly$99,899
37Lawrence$99,898
38Dartmouth$99,779
39Waltham$99,679
40Barnstable$99,573
41Brookline$99,354
42Billerica$99,199
43Braintree$98,865
44Salem$98,699
45Natick$98,635
46Pittsfield$98,416
47Dracut$98,119
48Lexington$98,054
49Stoughton$98,054
50Shrewsbury$97,927
51Franklin$97,665
52Attleboro$97,585
53Woburn$97,458
54Chelmsford$97,371
55Wellesley$97,316
56Leominster$97,228
57Andover$96,989
58Amherst Town$94,558
59Northampton$93,306

More Massachusetts Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.

Compare Cities in Massachusetts

View all comparisons →

Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do speech-language pathologists make in Massachusetts in 2026?

The average median speech-language pathologist salary in Massachusetts is $105,295/year across 59 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $93,306 in Northampton to $106,912 in Boston. This makes Massachusetts one of the higher-paying states, at 3.46% above the national median of $101,775. The state employs approximately 5,607 speech-language pathologists.

What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Massachusetts?

Boston offers the highest speech-language pathologist salary in Massachusetts at $106,912/year ($51.40/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Boston ($106,912), Barnstable Town ($106,902), Newton ($106,052). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for speech-language pathology services, and competition among employers for licensed speech-language pathologists.

How does Massachusetts speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?

Massachusetts's average speech-language pathologist salary of $105,295 is 3.46% above the national median of $101,775 in 2026. The state employs approximately 5,607 speech-language pathologists across 59 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Massachusetts?

Entry-level speech-language pathologists (10th percentile) in Massachusetts earn approximately $72,697/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $61,189 in lower-paying areas to $80,592 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts employs approximately 5,607 speech-language pathologists across 59 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Massachusetts one of the larger employers of speech-language pathologists nationally. Demand continues to grow as the speech-language pathology field expands and the population ages.

Which Massachusetts city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Barnstable Town offers the highest purchasing power for speech-language pathologists in Massachusetts, with an adjusted salary of $108,694 (nominal: $106,902, CoL index: 98.351). This means your dollar goes 2% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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

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