SLP Salary

Danville vs Rockford: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Danville, IL and Rockford, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Danville, IL
$84,915
$40.83/hr
Rockford, IL
$100,600
$48.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDanville, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$84,915$100,600
Hourly Rate$40.83$48.37
Entry Level (P10)$56,066$66,897
25th Percentile$67,685$81,726
75th Percentile$96,863$107,962
Top Earner (P90)$110,175$110,708
Total Employed5190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Danville ($84,915) and Rockford ($100,600) speech-language pathologist salaries.DanvilleRockfordMedian Salary$84,915$100,600Entry Level (P10)$56,066$66,897Top Earner (P90)$110,175$110,708US Median $101,775

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Danville.

The salary gap between Danville and Rockford is $15,685 (18.47%). Rockford's median is -1.15% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Danville spans $54,109,Rockford spans $43,811. Danville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Danville
P10 (Entry)$56,066
P25$67,685
Median$84,915
P75$96,863
P90 (Top)$110,175
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$66,897
P25$81,726
Median$100,600
P75$107,962
P90 (Top)$110,708

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($109,165 effective) pays 24.83% more than Danville ($87,451 effective).

Danville
Nominal: $84,915
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $87,451
Rockford
Nominal: $100,600
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $109,165

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Danville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,600/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,708)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,165)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Danville grew 38.4% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 32.5% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Danville, IL

+38.4%

$59,010 (2022) → $81,657 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+32.5%

$73,000 (2019) → $96,740 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Danville or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $100,600/year, compared to Danville at $84,915/year — a difference of $15,685 (18.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Danville and Rockford?

Danville speech-language pathologists earn $40.83/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $48.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Danville to Rockford as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Danville and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Danville = $87,451, Rockford = $109,165), job availability (5 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Danville vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $56,066 in Danville and $66,897 in Rockford. The Rockford 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