Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Kennewick, WA: $107,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Kennewick, WA earns a median $107,536/year (≈ $51.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Kennewick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $107,451 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kennewick, Washington, the annual salary for speech-language pathologists is projected to reach a median of $107,536 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $101,775. This salary range spans from $77,681 at the lower 10th percentile to $129,728 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the dynamics of the job market driven by the division between school and medical settings. School districts, which represent a significant portion of employment for SLPs, typically offer school-year contracts that can differ greatly from the year-round contracts often found in medical facilities. This distinction impacts overall earning potential and job stability in Kennewick's unique employment landscape, which comprises around 130 speech-language pathologists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,681 | $37.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,558 | $42.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,536 | $51.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,701 | $58.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,728 | $62.36 |
Median Salary Position
5.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
In Kennewick, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,047 (2026 est.). At $107,536, the local median is 5.66% above the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Kennewick: You'd be above the median
How Kennewick Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Kennewick median: $107,536/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kennewick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,471 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +5.66% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $107,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.66% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 1.00% above the Washington state average of $106,471.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kennewick has a cost of living 0.08% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kennewick, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.079 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,536 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,451 — a 0.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,990
2025 BLS Actual
$103,410
2026 Current Est.
$107,536
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,827 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennewick metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 32.6% from $77,990 (2019) to $103,410 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,827 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,837 (43.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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) | $77,681 – $88,558 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,558 – $107,536 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,536 – $120,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,701 – $129,728 |
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 Kennewick
The local job market showcases a competitive salary environment for SLPs, with a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.079, suggesting that while salaries may be higher, expenses also reflect this reality. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities usually provide higher compensation compared to school districts and some private practices. Factors influencing the pay gap include the variability in settings, year-round versus school-year contracts, additional stipends for board specialty certifications, and opportunities in telepractice — especially in light of its growth post-2020. For SLPs in Kennewick looking to boost their earnings, obtaining specialized certifications, exploring bilingual positions, and considering independent telepractice work are strategic paths to enhance their financial well-being in this evolving market.
More salary data for Kennewick, 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 $103,410 for speech-language pathologistsin the Kennewick 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