Speech-Language Pathologist salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $126,850 a year ($60.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,300 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $97,870. Pay here is 7% higher than the California statewide median of $118,970. There are 1.0 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $129,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,950 | $46.13 |
| 25th percentile | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| Median | $126,850 | $60.99 |
| 75th percentile | $148,910 | $71.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,300 | $82.36 |
| Average (mean) | $129,450 | $62.24 |
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 | $10,570.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,285.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,878.85 |
| Weekly | $2,439.42 |
| Hourly | $60.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | $133,760 | 70 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $132,720 | 890 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,850 | 1,760 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $127,470 | 160 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $126,360 | 1,030 |
| Vallejo, CA | $124,440 | 130 |
| Napa, CA | $123,870 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | $122,770 | 200 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $120,550 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $119,690 | 1,590 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $118,670 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $118,660 | 310 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $118,560 | 2,120 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $117,350 | 310 |
| Modesto, CA | $116,770 | 220 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $115,560 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $115,060 | 530 |
| Merced, CA | $114,220 | 100 |
| Fresno, CA | $110,960 | 820 |
| Chico, CA | $110,720 | 130 |
| Yuba City, CA | $109,830 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $109,740 | 4,800 |
| Visalia, CA | $106,760 | 220 |
| Redding, CA | $99,210 | 110 |
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 |
See Speech-Language Pathologist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $137,360 | $66.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,230 | $138.09 |
| Physical Therapist | $128,680 | $61.87 |
| Pharmacist | $162,520 | $78.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $296,960 | $142.77 |
| Dental Hygienist | $135,990 | $65.38 |
| Physician Assistant | $158,360 | $76.14 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $165,580 | $79.60 |
| Occupational Therapist | $125,890 | $60.53 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Dentists, General | $170,940 | $82.18 |
| Veterinarian | $158,840 | $76.36 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $108,600 | $52.21 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $102,060 | $49.07 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $126,850 a year, or $60.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $171,300 a year. The top 25% earn $148,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,950 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $105,930 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 200 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.