Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $109,450 +14.7% vs national
Median hourly $52.62
10th percentile $65,250
90th percentile $149,750
Employed locally 110
National median $95,410

Compare Speech-Language Pathologists salary & buying power

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Speech-Language Pathologists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,250
    25th
    $93,200
    50th (median)
    $109,450
    75th
    $135,660
    90th
    $149,750

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Speech-Language Pathologists salary vs area income 100% Median Speech-Language Pathologists salary is 0% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Speech-Language Pathologists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Speech-Language Pathologists in Santa Cruz, CA is $52.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.68 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Speech-Language Pathologists salaries?

    The median Speech-Language Pathologists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 14.7% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists (10th percentile) earn around $65,250 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $93,200.