Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Berkeley, NJ: $114,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Berkeley, NJ earns a median $114,860/year (≈ $55.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Berkeley's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $99,705 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $114,860 in 2026, speech-language pathologists in Berkeley, New Jersey, earn above the national median of $101,775. This reflects a competitive landscape, as salaries in the city range from $73,200 at the 10th percentile to $157,922 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 with adjustments for the local cost of living of 115.2, highlight significant disparities based on employment setting. The division between school-based contracts and medical environments often results in varying salary structures, with schools typically offering year-long contracts and medical facilities providing higher pay for specialized roles. As local institutions compete for talent, prospective SLPs may find ample opportunities within both sectors, solidifying Berkeley's role in the speech-language pathology job market.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,965 | $43.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,860 | $55.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,304 | $62.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,922 | $75.92 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berkeley
In Berkeley, NJ, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,722 (2026 est.). At $114,860, the local median is 12.86% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Berkeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Berkeley Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Berkeley median: $114,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berkeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $117,204 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +12.86% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $114,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $117,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berkeley has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Berkeley, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,860 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,705 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,292
2025 BLS Actual
$110,453
2026 Current Est.
$114,860
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,292 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,827 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,225 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,958 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,453 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berkeley metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $89,292 (2019) to $110,453 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,151 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley 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) | $73,200 – $89,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,965 – $114,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,860 – $129,304 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,304 – $157,922 |
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 Berkeley
In Berkeley, only seven speech-language pathologists are currently employed, indicating a niche yet potentially robust local market. The elevated cost of living impacts take-home pay and emphasizes the importance of strategic job placement. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to pay higher wages, often exceeding those offered by school districts, which employ around 55% of professionals in the field. Further complicating salary expectations, specialized certifications and bilingual capabilities can drive compensation higher. Additionally, the growing telepractice market offers new avenues; SLPs using 1099 contracts may enjoy more flexible earning potential. To maximize earnings in this specific market, SLPs should actively pursue diverse job settings, consider additional certifications, and remain adaptable to the increasing demand in telepractice while understanding the local dynamics at play.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
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 $110,453 for speech-language pathologistsin the Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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