Speech-Language Pathology Degree in Salem, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Speech-Language Pathology degree analysis for Salem, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$90K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Salem
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Speech-Language Pathology in Salem, OR Overview
Salem, Oregon (pop. 175,535) has 14 colleges offering Speech-Language Pathology programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,384/month. Speech-Language Pathology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Speech Assessment and Language Therapy skills. The adjusted starting salary in Salem is approximately $60,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,943/yr
Private Tuition
$46,250/yr
Room & Board
$15,380/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,172/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salem's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Speech-Language Pathology salary: $50,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Salem adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Speech-Language Pathology ROI Calculator for Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Speech-Language Pathology degree using local Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,943 | Private avg: $46,250
Salem avg aid: $14,172/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,292
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,000
vs HS diploma in Salem
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salem
$462,708
Lifetime earnings premium ($576,000) minus total education cost ($113,292)
Student Loan Payoff for Speech-Language Pathology in Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salem for Speech-Language Pathology
Willamette University
private
$46,250/yr
$185,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chemeketa Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Speech-Language Pathology in Salem
Salem offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Speech-Language Pathology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salem Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Speech-Language Pathology Job Titles
Speech-Language Pathology in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Salem
Pharmacy
$60K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$82K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$60K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Public Health
$60K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology Degree in Salem — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Speech-Language Pathology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Salem.