CA · Modesto · Updated October 15, 2026

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in Modesto, CA

Pay for speech-language pathologists in the Modesto area centers on $54.00 per hour, or about $112,320 a year. The lower quarter earns under $49.30 and the upper quarter over $64.25. That ranks 17th of 362 U.S. metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay, and 26th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Modesto. The free report below lists employers near Modesto and what they pay.

More open Speech-Language Pathologist roles in Modesto

2 more open roles from employers in Modesto. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in Modesto, CA

The metro median is 3% below the California statewide median of $55.77 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.87 per hour. BLS counts about 140 speech-language pathologists employed in the Modesto metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.63).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$38.74$80,58016% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$49.30$102,5407% above U.S. median
Median$54.00$112,32018% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$64.25$133,64040% above U.S. median
Top 10%$78.72$163,74072% above U.S. median

How Modesto ranks

  • 17th of 362 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 26th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 14th of 22 California metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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Named employers near Modesto, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Modesto

  • Overall prices in Modesto run 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.1, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 8% above the U.S. average (index 108.5).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $54.00 median hour buys what $51.87 buys at the national price level, 13% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Modesto paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,944
  • Per year: $97,200
  • Per month: $8,100

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Modesto metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Modesto

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel speech-language pathologist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Speech-Language Pathologist roles in California

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Modesto as they open.

Per diemPosted 3 days ago

Speech Therapist II

CommonSpirit Health · Oxnard, CA

$59.97–$71.60/ hour
  • PRN
  • Req 101880129232
Top 25% payNew this week
View role
PermanentPosted 8 days ago

Audiologist

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Travis AFB, CA

$112k–$145k/ year
  • Full-time
  • Req 887697500
View role

All Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in California

Hospitals in Modesto

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Modesto, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of speech-language pathologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Memorial Medical Center
Modesto, CA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Doctors Medical Center
Modesto, CA
Acute careFor-profit1 of 5Yes
Stanislaus Surgical Hospital
Modesto, CA
Acute careNonprofitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Turlock, CA12 mi$54.00/hr72,888
Manteca, CA16 mi$56.05/hr94,292
Tracy, CA25 mi$56.05/hr100,136
Stockton, CA29 mi$56.05/hr324,975
Merced, CA37 mi$57.42/hr96,073
Lodi, CA37 mi$56.05/hr68,642

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in California · Speech-Language Pathologist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in California

Master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in Modesto

Modesto city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do speech-language pathologists make in Modesto, CA?

Speech-Language Pathologists in the Modesto metro area have a median pay of $54.00 per hour, about $112,320 a year. The middle half earn between $49.30 and $64.25 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Modesto a good place for speech-language pathologists once cost of living is counted?

Modesto ranks 26th of 328 metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 17th of 362 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Where do speech-language pathologists work in Modesto?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Modesto, led by Memorial Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in Modesto as a speech-language pathologist?

Master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Modesto?

The federal per diem benchmark in Modesto is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place speech-language pathologists in Modesto?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Modesto and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Modesto.

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What do employers near Modesto pay speech-language pathologists? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · SLP near Modesto, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your SLP pay reportModesto, CA · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • El Camino HealthMountain View, CA · 2 postings$77.32/ hr$60–$95
  • Community Hospital of the Monterey PeninsulaMonterey, CA · 2 wage offers$76.88/ hr$77–$77
  • BrightSpring Health ServicesESCONDIDO, CA · 7 postings$62.50/ hr$60–$65
  • CommonSpirit HealthOXNARD, CA · 5 postings$61.91/ hr$50–$77

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$50Median$61.91High$73

25 SLP postings with published pay in California, 21 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 25 SLP roles

  1. Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), PRNPer diem
    $38.40–$65.00/ hour
    LifePoint Health · Paramount, CA · posted today
  2. Speech Language Pathologist - Home Health & Physical Rehab Services - HospitalPermanent
    $43.87–$52.64/ hour
    Marshall Medical Center · Placerville, CA · posted today

+ 23 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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