Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in New Jersey: $106,921 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $106,921/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,813 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: East Orange ($114,302), Franklin ($114,302), Woodbridge ($114,270).
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in New Jersey are projected to earn an average median salary of $106,920, which is 5.1% above the national median of $101,775. The salary range across the state shows a significant variance, with East Orange and Franklin both offering the highest pay at $118,863, while Atlantic City presents the lowest with $88,995, highlighting a gap of $29,868. This disparity can be attributed to factors like cost of living, local demand for services, and the availability of job opportunities, particularly in urban areas that tend to have higher service demands. The job market for speech-language pathologists in New Jersey is underpinned by strong demand, which is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%, as indicated by recent BLS data. New Jersey has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that professionals must navigate, which can affect job entry and career progression. With 1,313 speech-language pathologists employed in the state, the outlook remains positive, reflecting a continual need for speech and language services across various settings. As the state’s population grows and awareness of speech-related disorders increases, the demand for qualified practitioners is expected to remain strong.
New Jersey Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $65,152 (lowest entry-level) to $170,231 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey speech-language pathologists earn 5.06% more than the national median (+$5,146/year difference).
New Jersey Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in New Jersey range from $72,452 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $147,926 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,921. The New Jersey median is $5,146 above the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $51.40/hr. Approximately 1,313 speech-language pathologists are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,176
2025 BLS Actual
$102,818
2026 Current Est.
$106,921
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,176 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,739 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,883 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,796 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,818 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,921 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,187 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 25.1% from $82,176 (2019) to $102,818 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,011 (35.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $88,995 |
| Vineland | $91,938 |
| Trenton | $98,593 |
| Princeton | $100,553 |
| Camden | $101,588 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Orange | $118,863 | 115.2 | $103,180 |
| Franklin | $118,863 | 115.2 | $103,180 |
| Woodbridge | $118,829 | 115.2 | $103,150 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills | $118,658 | 115.2 | $103,002 |
| Union | $118,361 | 115.2 | $102,744 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,452 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,921 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $147,926 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Orange | $118,863 |
| 2 | Franklin | $118,863 |
| 3 | Woodbridge | $118,829 |
| 4 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $118,658 |
| 5 | Union | $118,361 |
| 6 | Elizabeth | $118,318 |
| 7 | Brick | $118,073 |
| 8 | Gloucester Township | $117,739 |
| 9 | New Brunswick | $117,693 |
| 10 | Howell | $117,303 |
| 11 | Paterson | $117,161 |
| 12 | Plainfield | $117,024 |
| 13 | Irvington | $116,847 |
| 14 | West New York | $116,671 |
| 15 | Piscataway | $116,587 |
| 16 | Jackson | $116,523 |
| 17 | Lakewood | $116,328 |
| 18 | West Orange | $116,261 |
| 19 | Montclair | $116,088 |
| 20 | Washington Township | $115,906 |
| 21 | Old Bridge | $115,864 |
| 22 | Edison | $115,684 |
| 23 | Union City | $115,631 |
| 24 | Toms River | $115,594 |
| 25 | Bridgewater | $115,460 |
| 26 | Middletown | $115,427 |
| 27 | Clifton | $115,074 |
| 28 | South Brunswick | $114,869 |
| 29 | Berkeley | $114,860 |
| 30 | Perth Amboy | $114,841 |
| 31 | Wayne | $114,805 |
| 32 | Linden | $114,787 |
| 33 | Passaic | $114,758 |
| 34 | East Brunswick | $114,714 |
| 35 | Bloomfield | $114,470 |
| 36 | Long Branch | $114,396 |
| 37 | Jersey City | $114,088 |
| 38 | Westfield | $114,077 |
| 39 | Hamilton | $113,960 |
| 40 | Sayreville | $113,923 |
| 41 | Cherry Hill | $113,904 |
| 42 | North Bergen | $113,700 |
| 43 | Hoboken | $113,598 |
| 44 | Kearny | $113,423 |
| 45 | Manalapan | $113,322 |
| 46 | Bayonne | $113,208 |
| 47 | Manchester | $112,950 |
| 48 | Moorestown | $112,507 |
| 49 | Hackensack | $112,504 |
| 50 | Newark | $112,330 |
| 51 | Marlboro | $111,921 |
| 52 | Mount Laurel | $111,839 |
| 53 | Egg Harbor | $111,567 |
| 54 | Evesham | $111,402 |
| 55 | Rahway | $110,912 |
| 56 | Summit | $109,262 |
| 57 | Camden | $101,588 |
| 58 | Princeton | $100,553 |
| 59 | Trenton | $98,593 |
| 60 | Vineland | $91,938 |
| 61 | Atlantic City | $88,995 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in New Jersey cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in New Jersey?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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