Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $103,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Wenatchee, WA earns a median $103,501/year (≈ $49.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Wenatchee's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.9), that paycheck buys what $99,659 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in Wenatchee, Washington is $103,501 in 2026, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $101,775 for the same year. With a salary range between $76,131 at the 10th percentile and $129,780 at the 90th percentile, these figures highlight the significant disparities within the field, driven primarily by the structural divisions between school-based and medical settings. These salaries are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, capturing the nuances of the local job market. Wenatchee's employment landscape includes approximately 70 speech-language pathologists, indicating a stable workforce catering to diverse client needs, from pediatrics in schools to adults in rehabilitation settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,131 | $36.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,705 | $42.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,501 | $49.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,245 | $54.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,780 | $62.39 |
Median Salary Position
1.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, WA, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,649 (2026 est.). At $103,501, the local median is 1.7% above the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wenatchee: You'd be above the median
How Wenatchee Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Wenatchee median: $103,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wenatchee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $106,483 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | +1.70% more |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $103,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% higher than the national median of $101,775 and 2.80% below the Washington state average of $106,483.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wenatchee has a cost of living 3.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wenatchee, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.855 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,501 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,659 — a 3.71% 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
$82,960
2025 BLS Actual
$99,530
2026 Current Est.
$103,501
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Wenatchee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,631 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 20.0% from $82,960 (2019) to $99,530 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,631 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,671 (29.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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) | $76,131 – $87,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,705 – $103,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,501 – $113,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,245 – $129,780 |
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 Wenatchee
In this local context, the cost of living index stands at 103.855, slightly above the national average, which impacts take-home purchasing power for speech-language pathologists. Employers in Wenatchee span various settings, including school districts, hospital inpatient rehab, outpatient pediatric clinics, and private practices. Generally, medical settings tend to offer better pay compared to schools, with specialties such as dysphagia commanding higher salaries. Factors influencing compensation include the type of contract—year-round versus school year—along with additional stipends for those with board specialty certifications and the burgeoning telepractice sector that has gained traction. To maximize earning potential, SLPs in Wenatchee should consider targeting career opportunities in medical facilities or early intervention programs while pursuing bilingual certifications, which are increasingly valuable in many markets.
More salary data for Wenatchee, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Wenatchee, WA in 2026?
Is Wenatchee, WA a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Wenatchee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Wenatchee?
How much does a speech-language pathologist make per hour in Wenatchee?
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 $99,530 for speech-language pathologistsin the Wenatchee 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