SLP Salary

Detroit vs Midland: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Detroit, MI and Midland, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$93,217
$44.81/hr
Midland, MI
$69,517
$33.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIMidland, MI
Median Salary$93,217$69,517
Hourly Rate$44.81$33.42
Entry Level (P10)$66,616$63,008
25th Percentile$80,655$63,008
75th Percentile$106,631$85,979
Top Earner (P90)$117,613$101,546
Total Employed1,85070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($93,217) and Midland ($69,517) speech-language pathologist salaries.DetroitMidlandMedian Salary$93,217$69,517Entry Level (P10)$66,616$63,008Top Earner (P90)$117,613$101,546US Median $101,775

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Midland.

The salary gap between Detroit and Midland is $23,700 (34.09%). Detroit's median is -8.41% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $50,997,Midland spans $38,538. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$66,616
P25$80,655
Median$93,217
P75$106,631
P90 (Top)$117,613
Midland
P10 (Entry)$63,008
P25$63,008
Median$69,517
P75$85,979
P90 (Top)$101,546

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($92,940 effective) pays 22.89% more than Midland ($75,627 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $93,217
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $92,940
Midland
Nominal: $69,517
CoL Index: 91.921
Adjusted: $75,627

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,217/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,613)
  • Larger job market (1,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,940)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Midland if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Detroit grew 14.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.8% growth in Midland over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+14.2%

$78,460 (2019) → $89,640 (2025)

Midland, MI

+-7.8%

$72,500 (2019) → $66,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Detroit or Midland?

Detroit has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $93,217/year, compared to Midland at $69,517/year — a difference of $23,700 (34.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Midland?

Detroit speech-language pathologists earn $44.81/hr while Midland hygienists earn $33.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Midland as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Midland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $92,940, Midland = $75,627), job availability (1,850 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Detroit vs Midland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $66,616 in Detroit and $63,008 in Midland. The Detroit 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