Salary distribution
Where San Francisco speech-language pathologists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $105,380 and $140,090, with a median of $130,270.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
Internship/residency
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Written Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Speech Recognition
Ability
- 4.2 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
- 02
Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- 03
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- 04
Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- 05
Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
- 06
Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
- 07
Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
- 08
Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for speech-language pathologists.
- San Jose$135,860
- Sacramento$122,490
- Riverside$115,390
- Los Angeles$109,170
- San Diego$107,180
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Speech-Language Pathologists in San Francisco, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Speech-Language Pathologists in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $130,270.
- Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Speech-Language Pathologists?
- The San Francisco metro median is +12.3% versus the California state median of $116,000.
- How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Speech-Language Pathologists?
- The San Francisco metro median is +38.7% versus the BLS national figure of $93,891.
- What is the salary range for Speech-Language Pathologists in San Francisco?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,580 and the 90th-percentile at $159,790 for the San Francisco metro area.
- What education is required for Speech-Language Pathologists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.