Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Rochester, NY: $83,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Rochester, NY earns a median $83,421/year (≈ $40.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $85,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, New York, the estimated median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2026 is projected to reach $83,421, reflecting the area's robust demand for SLPs, particularly those specializing in dysphagia and other medical areas. This market is characterized by a salary range that spans from $57,714 at the 10th percentile to $125,298 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the variability based on experience and clinical setting. These figures derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data highlight Rochester's competitive salary offerings. In comparison to the national average of $101,775, the local salary falls short by about 18.03%, signaling a distinct context for job seekers in the area. Effective strategies for maximizing earnings take into consideration the higher pay associated with medical settings compared to schools, which predominantly employ SLPs in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,714 | $27.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,722 | $31.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,421 | $40.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,260 | $50.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,298 | $60.24 |
Median Salary Position
18.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,584 (2026 est.). At $83,421, the local median is 18.03% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Rochester median: $83,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $86,987 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.03% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Rochester, NY earn a median of $83,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.03% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 4.10% below the New York state average of $86,987.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $83,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,970 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,300
2025 BLS Actual
$80,220
2026 Current Est.
$83,421
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,749 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 14.1% from $70,300 (2019) to $80,220 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,749 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,449 (23.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $57,714 – $65,722 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,722 – $83,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,421 – $104,260 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,260 – $125,298 |
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 Rochester
Analyzing the local job market reveals that approximately 950 speech-language pathologists are currently employed in Rochester. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.035, somewhat below the national average, which suggests that take-home purchasing power for SLPs in the region can be favorable, even if base salaries seem lower than the national median. The highest salaries are typically found in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, where dysphagia and other critical care specialties are increasingly important. Factors contributing to salary differences include setting type—medical roles usually pay more than schools—and the structure of contracts, which vary by year-round versus school-year positions. Additionally, specialized certifications in areas like bilingualism can further elevate an SLP's marketability and pay. For those seeking to enhance their compensation in Rochester, pursuing specialized training and considering positions in high-demand settings, such as telepractice, can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
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 $80,220 for speech-language pathologistsin the Rochester 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
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