Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Richland, WA: $109,777 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Richland, WA earns a median $109,777/year (≈ $52.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $102,213 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the speech-language pathologist salary in Richland is projected to reach $109,777, which is notably higher than the national median of $101,775. This reflects a competitive pay scale, underscored by the city's demand for specialists, particularly in medical settings where dysphagia treatment can demand a premium. The salary range for speech-language pathologists in Richland spans from $70,222 at the 10th percentile to $146,732 at the 90th percentile, indicative of varying levels of experience and work settings. With these estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost of living, Richland's market conditions signal robust opportunities for both new graduates and established professionals in the field.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,222 | $33.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,117 | $41.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,777 | $52.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,081 | $61.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,732 | $70.55 |
Median Salary Position
7.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,510 (2026 est.). At $109,777, the local median is 7.86% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be above the median
How Richland Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Richland median: $109,777/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,476 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $101,775 | +7.86% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Richland, WA earn a median of $109,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.86% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 3.10% above the Washington state average of $106,476.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,777 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,213 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$85,341
2025 BLS Actual
$105,565
2026 Current Est.
$109,777
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,341 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,808 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,755 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,565 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,777 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,157 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $85,341 (2019) to $105,565 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,157 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,816 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $70,222 – $86,117 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,117 – $109,777 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,777 – $127,081 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,081 – $146,732 |
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 Richland
Looking deeper into the local job market, Richland employs around 15 speech-language pathologists, reflecting a focused yet potentially competitive environment. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, indicating that while salaries are favorable, they must also account for higher living expenses. Employers in the region, such as school districts and medical facilities like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, typically offer the highest pay within the area. Variability in compensation is influenced by diverse factors, including work settings—with medical positions often offering better pay than private practice or school roles—and the prevalence of year-round versus school-year contracts. Strategies to maximize earnings in Richland may involve pursuing specialized certifications, considering telepractice options which have surged post-2020, or seeking bilingual roles where applicable. Understanding these nuances can significantly enhance the speech-language pathologist pay in Richland, WA.
More salary data for Richland, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Richland, WA in 2026?
Is Richland, WA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Richland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Richland?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Richland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $105,565 for speech-language pathologistsin the Richland 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 Richland 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