Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Walla Walla, WA: $101,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Walla Walla, WA earns a median $101,086/year (≈ $48.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Walla Walla's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $94,121 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in Walla Walla, Washington, is $101,086. This figure reflects a salary range from $67,956 at the 10th percentile to $132,583 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a wide disparity influenced by factors like the working environment. Speech-language pathologists primarily find employment in either educational settings or healthcare facilities, creating a distinct division in pay structures. Salaries in schools, where contracts typically follow the academic calendar, often lag behind those in medical settings, which frequently offer year-round positions. This divide is critical for professionals assessing job opportunities in Walla Walla, where the local estimates derive from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments.
About the Walla Walla Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,956 | $32.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,472 | $39.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,086 | $48.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,178 | $55.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,583 | $63.75 |
Median Salary Position
0.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Walla Walla
In Walla Walla, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,627 (2026 est.). At $101,086, the local median is 0.68% below the national median of $101,775.
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How Walla Walla Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Walla Walla median: $101,086/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Walla Walla Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,518 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -0.68% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $101,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.68% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 5.10% below the Washington state average of $106,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Walla Walla has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Walla Walla, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,086 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,121 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,584
2025 BLS Actual
$97,207
2026 Current Est.
$101,086
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,584 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,524 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,871 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,207 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,119 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Walla Walla metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $78,584 (2019) to $97,207 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,119 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,535 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Walla Walla 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) | $67,956 – $81,472 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,472 – $101,086 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,086 – $116,178 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,178 – $132,583 |
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 Walla Walla
Analysis of the Walla Walla job market reveals that six speech-language pathologists are currently employed in the area, indicating a relatively small pool that might limit competition for positions. The city's cost of living index sits at 107.4, signaling that while salaries may be competitive, the local purchasing power could be affected. Among the various employers—school districts, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices—those working in specialized medical settings generally command higher compensation. Factors impacting salary variations include differences in settings—medical positions tend to pay more than those in private practice or schools—as well as contract types and additional expertise, such as bilingual proficiency. For professionals seeking to maximize their speech-language pathologist pay in Walla Walla, focusing on medical facilities or gaining board certifications in specialized areas could prove advantageous. Additionally, exploring telepractice opportunities might yield higher hourly rates in the evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Walla Walla, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Walla Walla, WA in 2026?
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Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Walla Walla?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Walla Walla?
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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 $97,207 for speech-language pathologistsin the Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla 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