Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Cambridge, MA: $104,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Cambridge, MA earns a median $104,359/year (≈ $50.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,183 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Cambridge is projected to be $104,359, slightly above the national median of $101,775. Local salaries exhibit a wide range, from $63,326 at the lowest decile to $143,677 at the top 90th percentile, reflecting varied employment settings and experience levels. Given the area's distinctive labor landscape, where school districts represent about 55% of SLP employment, many practitioners face the structural divide between school-year contracts and year-round clinical positions in medical settings. These discrepancies can significantly influence earnings and job satisfaction, making Cambridge an intriguing hub for speech-language professionals.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,326 | $30.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,454 | $38.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,359 | $50.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,517 | $58.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,677 | $69.08 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,351 (2026 est.). At $104,359, the local median is 2.54% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be above the median
How Cambridge Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $104,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $102,413 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +2.54% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $104,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.90% above the Massachusetts state average of $102,413.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,359 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,183 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$81,129
2025 BLS Actual
$100,355
2026 Current Est.
$104,359
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,129 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,523 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,067 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,276 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,557 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,411 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,355 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $81,129 (2019) to $100,355 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,394 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $63,326 – $79,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,454 – $104,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,359 – $122,517 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,517 – $143,677 |
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 Cambridge
The local job market consists of about 22 employed speech-language pathologists, indicating a specialized focus that may impact both competition and opportunities for new graduates. With a cost of living index at 108.5, the purchasing power for SLPs in Cambridge could be somewhat compromised compared to their salaries. Among various employers, school districts and hospital settings tend to offer higher compensation, particularly for SLPs working in inpatient rehabilitation. Factors such as yearly contracts versus school schedules, specialties in certifications, and bilingual capabilities play crucial roles in determining pay disparities. For upcoming clinicians, strategies such as seeking opportunities in higher-paying medical facilities, enhancing qualifications with ASHA certification, or exploring telepractice options can be effective ways to maximize their potential earnings in the Cambridge market.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Cambridge, MA in 2026?
Is Cambridge, MA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Cambridge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Cambridge?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Cambridge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $100,355 for speech-language pathologistsin the Cambridge 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
Salary data for Cambridge is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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