Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $107,180 +12.3% vs national
Median hourly $51.53
10th percentile $61,000
90th percentile $138,040
Employed locally 1,560
National median $95,410

Compare Speech-Language Pathologists salary & buying power

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Speech-Language Pathologists
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,000
    25th
    $84,210
    50th (median)
    $107,180
    75th
    $128,600
    90th
    $138,040

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Speech-Language Pathologists salary vs area income 105% Median Speech-Language Pathologists salary is 5% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Speech-Language Pathologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,860
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,270
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $128,700
    Boulder, CO $126,890
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $126,330
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $124,190

    Nearby metros — Speech-Language Pathologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,860
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,270
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $128,700
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $124,190
    Salinas, CA $124,050
    Napa, CA $123,870

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Speech-Language Pathologists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Speech-Language Pathologists in San Diego, CA is $51.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.40 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Speech-Language Pathologists salaries?

    The median Speech-Language Pathologists salary in San Diego, CA is 12.3% above the national median of $95,410. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Speech-Language Pathologists in San Diego?

    Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists (10th percentile) earn around $61,000 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $84,210.