SLP Salary

Grand Island vs Norfolk: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Grand Island, NE and Norfolk, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Island, NE
$89,712
$43.14/hr
Norfolk, NE
$86,728
$41.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Island, NENorfolk, NE
Median Salary$89,712$86,728
Hourly Rate$43.14$41.70
Entry Level (P10)$76,921$61,582
25th Percentile$83,972$72,312
75th Percentile$109,397$99,221
Top Earner (P90)$139,607$112,425
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Island ($89,712) and Norfolk ($86,728) speech-language pathologist salaries.Grand IslandNorfolkMedian Salary$89,712$86,728Entry Level (P10)$76,921$61,582Top Earner (P90)$139,607$112,425US Median $101,775

Verdict

Grand Island, NE offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Norfolk.

The salary gap between Grand Island and Norfolk is $2,984 (3.44%). Grand Island's median is -11.85% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Island spans $62,686,Norfolk spans $50,843. Grand Island has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Grand Island
P10 (Entry)$76,921
P25$83,972
Median$89,712
P75$109,397
P90 (Top)$139,607
Norfolk
P10 (Entry)$61,582
P25$72,312
Median$86,728
P75$99,221
P90 (Top)$112,425

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Island ($103,525 effective) pays 9.22% more than Norfolk ($94,785 effective).

Grand Island
Nominal: $89,712
CoL Index: 86.657
Adjusted: $103,525
Norfolk
Nominal: $86,728
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $94,785

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Island if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,712/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,607)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,525)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Norfolk if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Grand Island grew 10.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.3% growth in Norfolk over the same period.

Grand Island, NE

+10.2%

$78,320 (2019) → $86,270 (2025)

Norfolk, NE

+22.3%

$68,172 (2024) → $83,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Grand Island or Norfolk?

Grand Island has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $89,712/year, compared to Norfolk at $86,728/year — a difference of $2,984 (3.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Island and Norfolk?

Grand Island speech-language pathologists earn $43.14/hr while Norfolk hygienists earn $41.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Island to Norfolk as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Island and Norfolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Island = $103,525, Norfolk = $94,785), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Grand Island vs Norfolk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $76,921 in Grand Island and $61,582 in Norfolk. The Grand Island 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