Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $107,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $107,879/year (≈ $51.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $106,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source

With a projected median annual salary of $107,879 in 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Salt Lake City reflects a robust local market, especially for those specializing in dysphagia and medical settings. The salary range spans from $68,883 at the 10th percentile to $140,158 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse income potential based on experience, setting, and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights Salt Lake City's competitive edge over the national median of $101,775, suggesting that local demand, particularly in healthcare sectors, drives higher compensation compared to many other markets. The presence of specialized medical SLPs not only enhances career opportunities but also significantly contributes to overall salary variations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,883 | $33.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,189 | $43.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,879 | $51.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,614 | $56.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,158 | $67.39 |
Median Salary Position
6.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,275 (2026 est.). At $107,879, the local median is 6% above the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be above the median
How Salt Lake City Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $107,879/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $101,200 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +6.00% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $107,879 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 6.60% above the Utah state average of $101,200.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,879 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,951 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,080
2025 BLS Actual
$103,740
2026 Current Est.
$107,879
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 24.9% from $83,080 (2019) to $103,740 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,104 (35.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $68,883 – $91,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,189 – $107,879 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,879 – $116,614 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,614 – $140,158 |
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 Salt Lake City
Given the employment of around 490 speech-language pathologists in Salt Lake City, the local job market exhibits a healthy demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 100.868, while slightly above the national average, take-home purchasing power remains favorable for SLPs. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities often offer the most competitive compensation, particularly for those dealing with complex cases like dysphagia. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include employment settings, with medical positions typically offering higher pay than school-based roles. Furthermore, SLPs in telepractice, especially those engaged in bilingual services, can command premium rates. To maximize earnings in Salt Lake City, clinicians should consider pursuing board specialty certifications, seek year-round positions, and engage in private practice or telehealth options to tap into varying demand across different service landscapes.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $103,740 for speech-language pathologistsin the Salt Lake City 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