CA · Salinas · Updated October 15, 2026

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in Salinas, CA

The median speech-language pathologist pay in the Salinas area is $59.64 per hour ($124,050 a year), with the typical range running from $49.94 to $63.55. That ranks 6th of 362 U.S. metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay, and 12th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Salinas. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Salinas.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in Salinas, CA

The metro median is 7% above the California statewide median of $55.77 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.87 per hour. BLS counts about 150 speech-language pathologists employed in the Salinas metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.70).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$46.80$97,3402% above U.S. median
Lower quartile$49.94$103,8809% above U.S. median
Median$59.64$124,05030% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$63.55$132,18039% above U.S. median
Top 10%$77.89$162,01070% above U.S. median

How Salinas ranks

  • 6th of 362 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 12th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 5th 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 Salinas

  • Overall prices in Salinas run 9% above the U.S. average (index 109.0, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 46% above the U.S. average (index 145.7).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $59.64 median hour buys what $54.69 buys at the national price level, 19% 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.

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Estimate your Salinas paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,147
  • Per year: $107,352
  • Per month: $8,946

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

Travel assignment per diem in Salinas

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$209
Meals and incidentals per day$92
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$2,107
13-week assignment$27,391

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).

Open Speech-Language Pathologist roles in California

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Salinas 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 Salinas

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Salinas, 1 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of speech-language pathologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Salinas Valley Health Medical Center
Salinas, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Natividad Medical Center
Salinas, CA
Acute careGovernment and federal3 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
Watsonville, CA18 mi$52.62/hr51,320
Gilroy, CA22 mi$65.32/hr60,390
Santa Cruz, CA30 mi$52.62/hr62,581
San Jose, CA43 mi$65.32/hr997,368
Cupertino, CA49 mi$65.32/hr58,710
Santa Clara, CA50 mi$65.32/hr133,132

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 Salinas

Salinas city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

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

Speech-Language Pathologists in the Salinas metro area have a median pay of $59.64 per hour, about $124,050 a year. The middle half earn between $49.94 and $63.55 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Salinas ranks 12th of 328 metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 6th of 362 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% above the U.S. average.

Where do speech-language pathologists work in Salinas?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Salinas, led by Salinas Valley Health Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in Salinas 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 Salinas?

The federal per diem benchmark in Salinas is $209 a night for lodging and $92 a day for meals and incidentals, about $2,107 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 Salinas?

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

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

Your SLP pay reportSalinas, 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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