Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Portland, OR: $111,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Portland, OR earns a median $111,945/year (≈ $53.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $106,189 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Portland, OR, is projected to reach a median of $111,945, reflecting a substantial increase compared to the national median of $101,775. This favorable discrepancy can largely be attributed to the demand for specialists in dysphagia and other medical speech-language pathology settings, where professionals often command higher compensation. Salaries in Portland vary significantly, with a range from $84,981 at the 10th percentile to $149,517 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market for qualified SLPs. These figures, which are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrate a competitive environment for clinicians in this city, especially those with specialized skills or certifications.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,981 | $40.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,948 | $47.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,945 | $53.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,851 | $65.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,517 | $71.89 |
Median Salary Position
9.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,536 (2026 est.). At $111,945, the local median is 9.99% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Portland median: $111,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $107,536 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +9.99% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Portland, OR earn a median of $111,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.99% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 4.10% above the Oregon state average of $107,536.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,945 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,189 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,420
2025 BLS Actual
$107,650
2026 Current Est.
$111,945
2019–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 33.9% from $80,420 (2019) to $107,650 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,992 (44.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $84,981 – $97,948 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,948 – $111,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,945 – $136,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,851 – $149,517 |
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 Portland
The local job market for speech-language pathologists in Portland is quite strong, employing approximately 1,140 professionals. However, it’s crucial to consider the cost of living in this area, which sits at a higher index of 105.421, affecting overall purchasing power despite attractive salaries. Employers in sectors such as hospital inpatient rehab and outpatient pediatric clinics typically offer the highest pay, while school districts remain significant, comprising about 55% of SLP employment. The spread between lower and higher salaries is influenced by factors such as working settings, year-round versus academic year contracts, board specialty certification stipends, and the increasing prevalence of telepractice roles post-2020. To maximize earnings, SLPs in Portland should consider pursuing certifications, exploring positions in medical settings, and staying flexible with telepractice opportunities, which often provide competitive hourly rates.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 $107,650 for speech-language pathologistsin the Portland 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