Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Medford, MA: $101,221 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Medford, MA earns a median $101,221/year (≈ $48.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Medford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $93,291 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Medford, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist is $101,221 as of 2026, slightly lower than the national figure of $101,775. Local salaries range from $69,064 at the 10th percentile to $140,818 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant disparity based on the employment setting. Notably, school districts in the area employ the majority of speech-language pathologists, often locking professionals into school-year contracts that can lead to salary variations compared to those in year-round medical positions. Adjustments for the cost of living, captured by a CoL index of 108.5, suggest that while compensation is fairly competitive, local expenditures influence take-home pay, making Medford's job market an interesting but complex landscape for speech-language pathologists.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,064 | $33.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,719 | $39.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,221 | $48.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,554 | $56.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,818 | $67.70 |
Median Salary Position
0.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, MA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,754 (2026 est.). At $101,221, the local median is 0.54% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Medford median: $101,221/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $102,450 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -0.54% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Medford, MA earn a median of $101,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $102,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,221 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,291 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,689
2025 BLS Actual
$97,337
2026 Current Est.
$101,221
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,221 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $78,689 (2019) to $97,337 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,570 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $69,064 – $82,719 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,719 – $101,221 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,221 – $116,554 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,554 – $140,818 |
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 Medford
As local employment shows only 11 speech-language pathologists currently serving the Medford community, the availability for new positions remains limited. The prevailing cost of living here means that while the salaries are relatively decent, professionals must contend with higher living expenses that affect their purchasing power. Medical settings, such as inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, generally offer higher wages compared to educational institutions. Factors like contract length, the demand for bilingual SLPs, and specialized certifications can widen the salary spectrum, with telepractice agencies increasingly gaining traction post-2020. For those in this market, focusing on obtaining board certifications, seeking positions in medical facilities, and potentially exploring telepractice opportunities can be effective strategies to maximize earnings in Medford, MA.
More salary data for Medford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Medford?
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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 $97,337 for speech-language pathologistsin the Medford 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 Medford 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