CA · National City · Updated October 15, 2026

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in National City, CA

Speech-Language Pathologists in the National City area earn a median of $51.53 per hour, about $107,180 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $40.49 and $61.83. That ranks 24th of 362 U.S. metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay, and 114th of 328 once local prices are factored in. 4 open roles with published pay are listed for National City and its metro area. The free report below lists employers near National City and what they pay.

Open Speech-Language Pathologist roles near National City

Roles in other cities of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area.

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

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Who is hiring speech-language pathologists near National City

EmployerRolesMedian pay / hour
BrightSpring Health Services2$62.50
Sharp HealthCare1$59.96
Sharp Healthcare1$59.96

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in National City, CA

The metro median is 8% below the California statewide median of $55.77 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.87 per hour. BLS counts about 1,560 speech-language pathologists employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area, 1.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.88).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$29.33$61,01036% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$40.49$84,22012% below U.S. median
Median$51.53$107,18012% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$61.83$128,61035% above U.S. median
Top 10%$66.37$138,05045% above U.S. median

How National City ranks

  • 24th of 362 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 114th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 19th 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.

What your pay buys in National City

  • Overall prices in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad run 12% above the U.S. average (index 111.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 79% above the U.S. average (index 179.3).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $51.53 median hour buys what $46.06 buys at the national price level, in line with 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 National City paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,855
  • Per year: $92,754
  • Per month: $7,730

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in National City

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$205
Meals and incidentals per day$86
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$2,037
13-week assignment$26,481

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. 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).

Hospitals in National City

CMS lists 1 hospital in National City, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of speech-language pathologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Paradise Valley Hospital
National City, CA
Acute careFor-profit3 of 5Yes

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
Chula Vista, CA5 mi$51.53/hr278,546
La Mesa, CA8 mi$51.53/hr60,767
Temecula, CA57 mi$55.48/hr112,431

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 National City

National City city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

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

Speech-Language Pathologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area have a median pay of $51.53 per hour, about $107,180 a year. The middle half earn between $40.49 and $61.83 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ranks 114th of 328 metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 24th of 362 before adjusting. Overall prices run 12% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring speech-language pathologists in National City?

We list 4 open roles with published pay from 3 employers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near National City.

Do I need a California license to work in National City 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 National City?

The federal per diem benchmark in National City is $205 a night for lodging and $86 a day for meals and incidentals, about $2,037 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 National City?

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

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

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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 National City, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your SLP pay reportNational City, 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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