SLP Salary

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

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

Centennial, CO
$117,630
$56.55/hr
Denver, CO
$116,562
$56.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentennial, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$117,630$116,562
Hourly Rate$56.55$56.04
Entry Level (P10)$71,616$76,849
25th Percentile$89,736$97,855
75th Percentile$135,680$147,635
Top Earner (P90)$169,876$165,053
Total Employed162,480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centennial ($117,630) and Denver ($116,562) speech-language pathologist salaries.CentennialDenverMedian Salary$117,630$116,562Entry Level (P10)$71,616$76,849Top Earner (P90)$169,876$165,053US Median $101,775

Verdict

Centennial, CO offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Denver.

The salary gap between Centennial and Denver is $1,068 (0.92%). Centennial's median is +15.58% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centennial spans $98,260,Denver spans $88,204. Centennial has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centennial
P10 (Entry)$71,616
P25$89,736
Median$117,630
P75$135,680
P90 (Top)$169,876
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, Centennial ($112,029 effective) pays 1.67% more than Denver ($110,191 effective).

Centennial
Nominal: $117,630
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $112,029
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 Centennial if…

  • Higher median salary ($117,630/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($169,876)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,029)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Larger job market (2,480 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Centennial grew 20.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Denver over the same period.

Centennial, CO

+20.1%

$94,179 (2024) → $113,117 (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: Centennial or Denver?

Centennial has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $117,630/year, compared to Denver at $116,562/year — a difference of $1,068 (0.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centennial and Denver?

Centennial speech-language pathologists earn $56.55/hr while Denver hygienists earn $56.04/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centennial and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centennial = $112,029, Denver = $110,191), job availability (16 vs 2,480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $71,616 in Centennial 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