Speech-Language Pathologist salary in District of Columbia
Speech-Language Pathologists in District of Columbia earn a median of $109,380 a year ($52.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,140 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $97,870. District of Columbia ranks 3rd of 51 states for Speech-Language pathologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.55 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $112,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| 25th percentile | $96,180 | $46.24 |
| Median | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| 75th percentile | $130,620 | $62.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Average (mean) | $112,940 | $54.30 |
Half of Speech-Language pathologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,115 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,557.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,206.92 |
| Weekly | $2,103.46 |
| Hourly | $52.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,960 | 3,140 |
Highest-paying states for Speech-Language pathologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,970 |
| Colorado | $110,750 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 |
| Washington | $105,550 |
| Nevada | $104,510 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 |
| Delaware | $102,760 |
| Alaska | $102,670 |
| Oregon | $102,660 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1127. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Speech-Language pathologist make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in District of Columbia is $109,380 a year, or $52.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in District of Columbia earn at least $137,140 a year. The top 25% earn $130,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,800 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $96,180 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in District of Columbia?
About 390 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.