SLP Salary

Madison vs Pleasant Prairie: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Madison, WI and Pleasant Prairie, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$90,357
$43.45/hr
Pleasant Prairie, WI
$78,332
$37.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIPleasant Prairie, WI
Median Salary$90,357$78,332
Hourly Rate$43.45$37.65
Entry Level (P10)$67,323$51,844
25th Percentile$76,599$62,379
75th Percentile$107,505$88,551
Top Earner (P90)$124,195$104,215
Total Employed4104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($90,357) and Pleasant Prairie ($78,332) speech-language pathologist salaries.MadisonPleasant PrairieMedian Salary$90,357$78,332Entry Level (P10)$67,323$51,844Top Earner (P90)$124,195$104,215US Median $101,775

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pleasant Prairie.

The salary gap between Madison and Pleasant Prairie is $12,025 (15.35%). Madison's median is -11.22% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $56,872,Pleasant Prairie spans $52,371. Madison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$67,323
P25$76,599
Median$90,357
P75$107,505
P90 (Top)$124,195
Pleasant Prairie
P10 (Entry)$51,844
P25$62,379
Median$78,332
P75$88,551
P90 (Top)$104,215

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($92,877 effective) pays 10.74% more than Pleasant Prairie ($83,867 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $90,357
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $92,877
Pleasant Prairie
Nominal: $78,332
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $83,867

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,357/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,195)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,877)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pleasant Prairie if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Madison grew 17.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.5% growth in Pleasant Prairie over the same period.

Madison, WI

+17.4%

$74,010 (2019) → $86,890 (2025)

Pleasant Prairie, WI

+3.5%

$72,750 (2024) → $75,326 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Madison or Pleasant Prairie?

Madison has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $90,357/year, compared to Pleasant Prairie at $78,332/year — a difference of $12,025 (15.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Pleasant Prairie?

Madison speech-language pathologists earn $43.45/hr while Pleasant Prairie hygienists earn $37.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Pleasant Prairie as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Pleasant Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $92,877, Pleasant Prairie = $83,867), job availability (410 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Madison vs Pleasant Prairie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $67,323 in Madison and $51,844 in Pleasant Prairie. The Madison 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