Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Wellesley, MA: $97,316 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Wellesley, MA earns a median $97,316/year (≈ $46.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Wellesley's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $89,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wellesley, Massachusetts, the projected median salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2026 is $97,316. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, while the full compensation range spans from $65,550 at the 10th percentile to $131,233 at the 90th percentile. The city's medical speech-language pathologists, particularly those specializing in dysphagia, are likely to command higher salaries than their counterparts in educational settings. With the national median approaching $101,775, professionals in Wellesley find themselves slightly behind the national average, facing unique market dynamics that influence compensation packages in this affluent suburb.
About the Wellesley Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,550 | $31.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,528 | $37.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,316 | $46.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,035 | $54.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,233 | $63.09 |
Median Salary Position
4.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wellesley
In Wellesley, MA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,683 (2026 est.). At $97,316, the local median is 4.38% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wellesley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wellesley Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Wellesley median: $97,316/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wellesley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $102,438 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -4.38% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Wellesley, MA earn a median of $97,316 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.38% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $102,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wellesley has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wellesley, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,316 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,692 — 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
$75,653
2025 BLS Actual
$93,582
2026 Current Est.
$97,316
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Wellesley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,653 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,954 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,596 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,454 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,378 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,831 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,582 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,316 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,199 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wellesley metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $75,653 (2019) to $93,582 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,546 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wellesley 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) | $65,550 – $78,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,528 – $97,316 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,316 – $114,035 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,035 – $131,233 |
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 Wellesley
The local job market shows a modest number of employed professionals, with just six speech-language pathologists currently working in Wellesley. The cost of living index, standing at 108.5, suggests that while salaries are relatively high, purchasing power may be affected by the increased living expenses in the area. Employers in this region, including skilled nursing facilities and hospital rehab units, often provide higher compensation compared to school districts, which represent about 55% of the total employment for the profession. The disparity in pay is influenced by job settings, contract types (with year-round positions generally offering better benefits), and factors such as bilingual capabilities or specialized certifications. Engaging in telepractice, which has seen a significant surge since 2020, can also enhance earning potential. Focusing on advancing one’s qualifications or pursuing roles in high-demand areas can greatly improve salary prospects for those seeking to maximize their speech-language pathologist pay in Wellesley, MA.
More salary data for Wellesley, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Wellesley, MA in 2026?
Is Wellesley, MA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Wellesley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Wellesley?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Wellesley?
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 $93,582 for speech-language pathologistsin the Wellesley 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 Wellesley 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