SLP Salary

Caledonia vs Madison: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Caledonia, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Caledonia, WI
$79,910
$38.41/hr
Madison, WI
$90,357
$43.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCaledonia, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$79,910$90,357
Hourly Rate$38.41$43.45
Entry Level (P10)$49,820$67,323
25th Percentile$66,391$76,599
75th Percentile$93,646$107,505
Top Earner (P90)$108,170$124,195
Total Employed4410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Caledonia ($79,910) and Madison ($90,357) speech-language pathologist salaries.CaledoniaMadisonMedian Salary$79,910$90,357Entry Level (P10)$49,820$67,323Top Earner (P90)$108,170$124,195US Median $101,775

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Caledonia.

The salary gap between Caledonia and Madison is $10,447 (13.07%). Madison's median is -11.22% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Caledonia spans $58,350,Madison spans $56,872. Caledonia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Caledonia
P10 (Entry)$49,820
P25$66,391
Median$79,910
P75$93,646
P90 (Top)$108,170
Madison
P10 (Entry)$67,323
P25$76,599
Median$90,357
P75$107,505
P90 (Top)$124,195

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($92,877 effective) pays 8.56% more than Caledonia ($85,557 effective).

Caledonia
Nominal: $79,910
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $85,557
Madison
Nominal: $90,357
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $92,877

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Caledonia if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,357/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,195)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,877)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Caledonia grew 3.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.4% growth in Madison over the same period.

Caledonia, WI

+3.5%

$74,216 (2024) → $76,844 (2025)

Madison, WI

+17.4%

$74,010 (2019) → $86,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Caledonia or Madison?

Madison has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $90,357/year, compared to Caledonia at $79,910/year — a difference of $10,447 (13.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Caledonia and Madison?

Caledonia speech-language pathologists earn $38.41/hr while Madison hygienists earn $43.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Caledonia to Madison as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Caledonia and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Caledonia = $85,557, Madison = $92,877), job availability (4 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Caledonia vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $49,820 in Caledonia and $67,323 in Madison. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.
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