Salary data is based on the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metropolitan area and applied to Burlington using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Speechlanguage Pathologists Salaries in Burlington, VT

Average Base Pay

$92,614/yr

2% below national average

Monthly

$7,718

Hourly

$45

Cost Index

Speechlanguage Pathologists in Burlington, VT earn an average of $92,614 per year, with most salaries falling between $74,091 and $111,137 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 2% below the national average, Burlington offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 98. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Burlington.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$69K
Low

$93K
Median

$116K
High

25th percentile: $79K75th percentile: $107K

About Speechlanguage Pathologists

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) assess and treat communication disorders—including speech sound production, language comprehension and expression, fluency, voice, and social communication—as well as swallowing disorders (dysphagia) in patients across the lifespan. They work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, early intervention programs, private practices, and home health agencies. In schools, SLPs evaluate children for speech and language delays, develop individualized education program (IEP) goals, and provide direct therapy targeting articulation, language processing, social pragmatics, and augmentative communication. In medical settings, SLPs assess and treat patients with communication and swallowing disorders resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury, progressive neurological diseases (Parkinson's, ALS, dementia), head and neck cancer, or developmental disabilities. Swallowing evaluations may involve clinical bedside assessment or instrumental studies such as the modified barium swallow or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). SLPs develop and implement treatment plans, educate caregivers and families, and collaborate with physicians, occupational therapists, and educators. A master's degree in speech-language pathology and passage of the Praxis examination are required for state licensure.

What Speechlanguage Pathologists Do

Evaluate speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing function
Administer standardized tests and conduct clinical observations to identify disorders
Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals
Provide direct therapy for speech, language, cognitive-communication, or swallowing disorders
Perform instrumental swallowing assessments (MBSS, FEES)
Educate patients and caregivers on therapy strategies and home programs
Document evaluation findings, treatment plans, and session notes
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in medical or educational settings

Key Skills & Qualifications

Diagnostic assessment of speech and language disorders
Dysphagia evaluation and treatment including instrumental studies
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems
Pediatric and adult therapy techniques
IEP development and school-based service delivery
Neurogenic communication disorders following brain injury or disease
Master's degree in speech-language pathology and state licensure (CCC-SLP)
Documentation in medical and educational records

Career Path

Clinical Fellow (SLP-CF)
Staff SLP
Senior SLP / Specialty SLP
Clinical Supervisor / Lead SLP
Director of Rehabilitation / Department Head

Speechlanguage Pathologists Market in Burlington, VT

Salary Competitiveness

Burlington salaries for Speechlanguage Pathologists track closely with the national median, diverging by less than 4%. This alignment suggests a competitive but balanced local market—employers are broadly in step with national pay scales, which can make benchmark comparisons more reliable when negotiating.

Cost of Living Impact

Burlington sits close to the national cost average. Monthly essential expenses represent about 45% of take-home pay for this role—a midrange ratio that allows for modest savings and discretionary spending, provided housing costs remain stable.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Speechlanguage Pathologists earning $92,614 in Burlington reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

-2%

Cost Pressure

45%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$67,608

Monthly

$5,634

Weekly

$1,300

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $92,614 for a Speechlanguage Pathologists in Burlington translates to roughly $5,634 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,539—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $3,095 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Burlington's current market.

How far does this salary go in Burlington?

Cost of Living in Burlington

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Burlington, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,460/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$487/mo

🚗Transportation$132/mo

💡Utilities$171/mo

🏥Healthcare$289/mo

Monthly$2,539

Annual$30,468

Disposable Income$3,095

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Burlington to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$5,634

Living Costs

$2,539

Disposable

$3,095

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $5,634, your estimated living costs in Burlington are $2,539 ($30,468/yr). This leaves $3,095 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Burlington's cost of living is 2% below the national average.

Overall, a Speechlanguage Pathologists earning $92,614 in Burlington falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 98, Burlington is 2% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Burlington continue to evolve.