SLP Salary

Aurora vs Denver: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Aurora, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$114,003
$54.81/hr
Denver, CO
$116,562
$56.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$114,003$116,562
Hourly Rate$54.81$56.04
Entry Level (P10)$70,704$76,849
25th Percentile$88,239$97,855
75th Percentile$136,063$147,635
Top Earner (P90)$162,030$165,053
Total Employed542,480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($114,003) and Denver ($116,562) speech-language pathologist salaries.AuroraDenverMedian Salary$114,003$116,562Entry Level (P10)$70,704$76,849Top Earner (P90)$162,030$165,053US Median $101,775

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Aurora and Denver is $2,559 (2.24%). Denver's median is +14.53% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $91,326,Denver spans $88,204. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$70,704
P25$88,239
Median$114,003
P75$136,063
P90 (Top)$162,030
Denver
P10 (Entry)$76,849
P25$97,855
Median$116,562
P75$147,635
P90 (Top)$165,053

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($110,191 effective) pays 1.49% more than Aurora ($108,574 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $114,003
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $108,574
Denver
Nominal: $116,562
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $110,191

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,562/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($165,053)
  • Larger job market (2,480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,191)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Aurora grew 15.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Denver over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+15.5%

$94,889 (2024) → $109,629 (2025)

Denver, CO

+20.6%

$92,970 (2019) → $112,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Aurora or Denver?

Denver has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $116,562/year, compared to Aurora at $114,003/year — a difference of $2,559 (2.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Denver?

Aurora speech-language pathologists earn $54.81/hr while Denver hygienists earn $56.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Denver as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $108,574, Denver = $110,191), job availability (54 vs 2,480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Aurora vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $70,704 in Aurora and $76,849 in Denver. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov