CA · Santa Maria · Updated October 15, 2026

Speech-Language Pathologist jobs in Santa Maria, CA

The median speech-language pathologist pay in the Santa Maria area is $61.87 per hour ($128,700 a year), with the typical range running from $51.12 to $69.08. That ranks 3rd of 362 U.S. metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay, and 5th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Santa Maria. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Santa Maria.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay in Santa Maria, CA

The metro median is 11% above the California statewide median of $55.77 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.87 per hour. BLS counts about 160 speech-language pathologists employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.67).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$43.56$90,6005% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$51.12$106,33011% above U.S. median
Median$61.87$128,70035% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$69.08$143,69051% above U.S. median
Top 10%$77.94$162,12070% above U.S. median

How Santa Maria ranks

  • 3rd of 362 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 5th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd 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 Santa Maria

  • Overall prices in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara run 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.8, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 51% above the U.S. average (index 151.4).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $61.87 median hour buys what $56.87 buys at the national price level, 24% 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 Santa Maria paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,227
  • Per year: $111,366
  • Per month: $9,280

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

Travel assignment per diem in Santa Maria

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$214
Meals and incidentals per day$92
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$2,142
13-week assignment$27,846

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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria

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

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Marian Regional Medical Center
Santa Maria, CA
Acute careNonprofit3 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
Santa Barbara, CA55 mi$61.87/hr87,291
San Buenaventura, CA82 mi$59.71/hr109,831
Bakersfield, CA85 mi$50.88/hr417,468
Oxnard, CA87 mi$59.71/hr200,616
Delano, CA88 mi$50.88/hr53,198
Camarillo, CA94 mi$59.71/hr69,881

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 Santa Maria

Santa Maria city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

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

Speech-Language Pathologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metro area have a median pay of $61.87 per hour, about $128,700 a year. The middle half earn between $51.12 and $69.08 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara ranks 5th of 328 metro areas for speech-language pathologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 3rd of 362 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% above the U.S. average.

Where do speech-language pathologists work in Santa Maria?

CMS lists 1 hospital in Santa Maria, led by Marian Regional Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria?

The federal per diem benchmark in Santa Maria is $214 a night for lodging and $92 a day for meals and incidentals, about $2,142 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 Santa Maria?

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

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

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

Your SLP pay reportSanta Maria, 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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