SLP Salary

Milwaukee vs South Milwaukee: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$91,709
$44.09/hr
South Milwaukee, WI
$78,344
$37.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISouth Milwaukee, WI
Median Salary$91,709$78,344
Hourly Rate$44.09$37.67
Entry Level (P10)$63,819$51,960
25th Percentile$82,828$62,404
75th Percentile$105,976$86,888
Top Earner (P90)$116,479$104,491
Total Employed1,0006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($91,709) and South Milwaukee ($78,344) speech-language pathologist salaries.MilwaukeeSouth MilwaukeeMedian Salary$91,709$78,344Entry Level (P10)$63,819$51,960Top Earner (P90)$116,479$104,491US Median $101,775

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee is $13,365 (17.06%). Milwaukee's median is -9.89% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $52,660,South Milwaukee spans $52,531. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$63,819
P25$82,828
Median$91,709
P75$105,976
P90 (Top)$116,479
South Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$51,960
P25$62,404
Median$78,344
P75$86,888
P90 (Top)$104,491

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($94,607 effective) pays 12.79% more than South Milwaukee ($83,880 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $91,709
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $94,607
South Milwaukee
Nominal: $78,344
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $83,880

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,709/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,479)
  • Larger job market (1,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,607)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose South Milwaukee if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Milwaukee grew 19.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.5% growth in South Milwaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+19.1%

$74,030 (2019) → $88,190 (2025)

South Milwaukee, WI

+3.5%

$72,762 (2024) → $75,338 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Milwaukee or South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $91,709/year, compared to South Milwaukee at $78,344/year — a difference of $13,365 (17.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee speech-language pathologists earn $44.09/hr while South Milwaukee hygienists earn $37.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to South Milwaukee as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and South Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $94,607, South Milwaukee = $83,880), job availability (1,000 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Milwaukee vs South Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $63,819 in Milwaukee and $51,960 in South Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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