Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Auburn, WA: $105,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Auburn, WA earns a median $105,262/year (≈ $50.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $98,009 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Auburn, Washington, can expect a compelling median annual salary of $105,262, which is approximately 3.43% higher than the national median of $101,775. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lower end at $63,454 and the upper end reaching $146,440. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and regional price adjustments, highlight the specialized nature of the field in Auburn, particularly for those who focus on dysphagia and medical speech-language pathology, which is known to command higher salaries. Such insights reflect the robustness of the local job market, where the combination of educational settings and healthcare facilities creates a diverse range of opportunities.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,454 | $30.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,758 | $40.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,262 | $50.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,219 | $60.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,440 | $70.40 |
Median Salary Position
3.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,986 (2026 est.). At $105,262, the local median is 3.43% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be above the median
How Auburn Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Auburn median: $105,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,540 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +3.43% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Auburn, WA earn a median of $105,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.43% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $106,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,262 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,009 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,831
2025 BLS Actual
$101,223
2026 Current Est.
$105,262
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,237 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,769 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,023 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,349 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,914 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $81,831 (2019) to $101,223 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,631 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $63,454 – $83,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,758 – $105,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,262 – $125,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,219 – $146,440 |
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 Auburn
Among the 23 speech-language pathologists currently employed in the Auburn area, understanding the cost of living is essential for evaluating the take-home purchasing power. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, professionals must consider how this affects their overall earnings in comparison to national averages. Employers such as school districts, hospital inpatient rehab facilities, and skilled nursing facilities generally offer varying compensation levels, with medical settings often providing higher pay due to the demand for specialized skills. The disparities in pay can also be attributed to contractual differences, such as year-round vs. school-year positions, and the added value that specialized certifications or bilingual skills bring to the table. For those looking to increase their earnings, exploring opportunities in telepractice or securing positions in higher-paying medical facilities could be effective strategies for maximizing speech-language pathologist pay in Auburn, WA.
More salary data for Auburn, WA:
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 $101,223 for speech-language pathologistsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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