SLP Salary

Duluth vs Minneapolis: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Duluth, MN and Minneapolis, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$85,272
$40.99/hr
Minneapolis, MN
$97,095
$46.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNMinneapolis, MN
Median Salary$85,272$97,095
Hourly Rate$40.99$46.68
Entry Level (P10)$66,200$65,431
25th Percentile$77,753$82,183
75th Percentile$97,376$106,132
Top Earner (P90)$100,028$116,042
Total Employed1302,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($85,272) and Minneapolis ($97,095) speech-language pathologist salaries.DuluthMinneapolisMedian Salary$85,272$97,095Entry Level (P10)$66,200$65,431Top Earner (P90)$100,028$116,042US Median $101,775

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Minneapolis is $11,823 (13.87%). Minneapolis's median is -4.60% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $33,828,Minneapolis spans $50,611. Minneapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$66,200
P25$77,753
Median$85,272
P75$97,376
P90 (Top)$100,028
Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$65,431
P25$82,183
Median$97,095
P75$106,132
P90 (Top)$116,042

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($96,062 effective) pays 3.71% more than Minneapolis ($92,628 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $85,272
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $96,062
Minneapolis
Nominal: $97,095
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $92,628

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,062)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,095/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,042)
  • Larger job market (2,570 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Duluth grew 14.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.3% growth in Minneapolis over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+14.8%

$71,440 (2019) → $82,000 (2025)

Minneapolis, MN

+20.3%

$77,640 (2019) → $93,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Duluth or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $97,095/year, compared to Duluth at $85,272/year — a difference of $11,823 (13.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Minneapolis?

Duluth speech-language pathologists earn $40.99/hr while Minneapolis hygienists earn $46.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Minneapolis as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Minneapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $96,062, Minneapolis = $92,628), job availability (130 vs 2,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Duluth vs Minneapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $66,200 in Duluth and $65,431 in Minneapolis. The Duluth 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