Salaries › Speech-Language Pathologist › California
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in California (2026)
$57.20 per hour · take-home ≈ $85,538/year ($7,128/month) for a single filer
California is the highest-paying state in the country for Speech-Language Pathologists, with a median about 23% above the national average. Of the 16,930 Speech-Language Pathologist jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $118,970 a year — though pay ranges from $79,750 for newcomers to $160,900 at the top.
Speech-Language Pathologist pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $79,750 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $98,920 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $118,970 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $135,070 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $160,900 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 16,930 Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in California (occupation code 29-1127, “Speech-Language Pathologists”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Speech-Language Pathologist salary of $118,970 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $85,538 — an effective tax rate of 28.1%.
| Gross (median) | $118,970 |
| Federal income tax | −$17,343 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$9,101 |
| California state income tax | −$6,988 |
| Take-home (annual) | $85,538 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $7,128 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in California?
- The median Speech-Language Pathologist salary in California is $118,970 per year ($57.20 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $98,920 and $135,070.
- What is the take-home pay for a Speech-Language Pathologist in California?
- On the median salary of $118,970, a single filer in California takes home about $85,538 per year ($7,128 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 28.1%.
- How many Speech-Language Pathologist jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 16,930 Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Speech-Language Pathologists
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.