Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Boston, MA: $106,912 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Boston, MA earns a median $106,912/year (≈ $51.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $98,749 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for speech-language pathologists in Boston, Massachusetts, is $106,912, exceeding the national median of $101,775 by approximately 5.05%. This competitive compensation reflects a salary range that extends from $74,155 at the 10th percentile to $135,135 at the 90th percentile. The figures presented are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, demonstrating a robust market for speech-language pathologists. The demand for these professionals is driven not just by traditional settings, but also by the growing telepractice sector. In a city known for its comprehensive healthcare and educational institutions, prospective speech-language pathologists can find ample opportunities for both employment and side income through telepractice engagements.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,155 | $35.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,456 | $42.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,912 | $51.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,724 | $60.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,135 | $64.97 |
Median Salary Position
5.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,980 (2026 est.). At $106,912, the local median is 5.05% above the national median of $101,775.
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How Boston Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Boston median: $106,912/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $102,406 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +5.05% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Boston, MA earn a median of $106,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 4.40% above the Massachusetts state average of $102,406.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,912 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,749 — a 7.64% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,400
2025 BLS Actual
$102,810
2026 Current Est.
$106,912
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,912 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,178 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 19.0% from $86,400 (2019) to $102,810 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,178 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,778 (28.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $74,155 – $87,456 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,456 – $106,912 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,912 – $125,724 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,724 – $135,135 |
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 Boston
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Boston employs approximately 3,720 speech-language pathologists, a noteworthy figure that highlights the sector's health. However, the cost of living index for Boston stands at 108.266, indicating a higher expense of living compared to the national average. This reality impacts take-home pay significantly. Among local employers, school districts typically pay less than medical facilities, where inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient pediatric clinics tend to offer higher salaries. The variability in pay can be attributed to the settings in which SLPs work, with school contracts often being year-round and medical SLPs commanding higher rates due to specialized skills like dysphagia treatment. To maximize pay in this area, SLPs should consider obtaining board specialty certification and exploring telepractice opportunities, as bilingual SLPs often enjoy premium pay rates as well.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $102,810 for speech-language pathologistsin the Boston 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