Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Pennsylvania: $98,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $98,393/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,020 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Gettysburg ($104,280), Lancaster ($103,930), Philadelphia ($100,080).
As of 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in Pennsylvania is projected to be $98,393, which is about 3.3% lower than the national median of $101,775. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Gettysburg offering the highest salary at $108,441 and Pittsburgh at the lower end with $85,074. This considerable salary difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the availability of specialized roles in different urban areas. In Pennsylvania, speech-language pathologists are required to meet specific state licensing requirements, which include completing a master’s degree and passing the relevant certification exams. This ensures a skilled workforce capable of addressing the growing needs in schools, healthcare, and rehabilitation settings. The projected annual growth rate of 3.99% in this profession indicates a stable demand for services, driven by an aging population and increased awareness of speech and language disorders. Key cities such as Lancaster at $108,077 and Philadelphia at $104,073 also present strong salary opportunities, reflecting local demand and regional healthcare investments. The overall job market outlook for speech-language pathologists in Pennsylvania remains positive, ensuring a steady stream of employment opportunities in the coming years.
Pennsylvania Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $53,732 (lowest entry-level) to $150,661 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania speech-language pathologists earn 3.32% less than the national median ($-3,382/year difference).
Pennsylvania Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Pennsylvania range from $65,276 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $134,303 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $98,393. The Pennsylvania median is $3,382 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $47.31/hr. Approximately 7,190 speech-language pathologists are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,968
2025 BLS Actual
$94,618
2026 Current Est.
$98,393
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,987 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,186 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,618 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,319 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 19.8% from $78,968 (2019) to $94,618 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,319 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,351 (29.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $85,074 |
| Johnstown | $87,424 |
| Erie | $87,549 |
| Williamsport | $89,047 |
| Altoona | $89,920 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg | $108,441 | 95.379 | $113,695 |
| Lancaster | $108,077 | 98.257 | $109,994 |
| Chambersburg | $103,824 | 94.642 | $109,702 |
| Lebanon | $99,498 | 93.214 | $106,741 |
| Bethlehem | $102,220 | 97.4 | $104,949 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,276 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $98,393 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $134,303 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gettysburg | $108,441 |
| 2 | Lancaster | $108,077 |
| 3 | Philadelphia | $104,073 |
| 4 | Chambersburg | $103,824 |
| 5 | Bethlehem | $102,220 |
| 6 | State College | $100,309 |
| 7 | York | $100,226 |
| 8 | Allentown | $99,789 |
| 9 | Lebanon | $99,498 |
| 10 | Easton | $98,076 |
| 11 | Scranton | $97,095 |
| 12 | Wilkes-Barre | $96,733 |
| 13 | Reading | $96,638 |
| 14 | Hazleton | $95,390 |
| 15 | Norristown | $95,207 |
| 16 | Chester | $94,986 |
| 17 | New Castle | $94,043 |
| 18 | Harrisburg | $93,227 |
| 19 | Pottstown | $92,705 |
| 20 | West Chester | $92,026 |
| 21 | Altoona | $89,920 |
| 22 | Williamsport | $89,047 |
| 23 | Erie | $87,549 |
| 24 | Johnstown | $87,424 |
| 25 | Pittsburgh | $85,074 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Pennsylvania?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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