Speech-Language Pathologist salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A speech-language pathologist in California earns a median of $118,970 a year ($57.20/hour equivalent), 21.6% above the national median of $97,870. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 16,930 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $84,160 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $3,237 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,575.77
- Federal income tax
- −$667.05
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$283.70
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$66.35
- California income tax
- −$262.28
- CA SDI
- −$59.49
- Take-home pay
- $3,236.91
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $118,970
- Federal
- $17,343
- FICA
- $9,101
- State + local
- $8,366
- Net
- $84,160
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $118,970 |
| #2 | Colorado | $110,750 |
| #3 | District of Columbia | $109,380 |
| #4 | Washington | $105,550 |
| #5 | Nevada | $104,510 |
| #49 | Alabama | $73,660 |
| #50 | Louisiana | $69,610 |
| #51 | South Dakota | $65,680 |
See the national speech-language pathologist salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in California?
The median salary is $118,970 a year and the average is $118,600 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for speech-language pathologists?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 22% above the national median of $97,870.
What is $118,970 after taxes in California?
About $84,160 a year ($3,237 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.