SLP Salary

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

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

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

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$97,095$85,272
Hourly Rate$46.68$40.99
Entry Level (P10)$65,431$66,200
25th Percentile$82,183$77,753
75th Percentile$106,132$97,376
Top Earner (P90)$116,042$100,028
Total Employed2,570130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($97,095) and Duluth ($85,272) speech-language pathologist salaries.MinneapolisDuluthMedian Salary$97,095$85,272Entry Level (P10)$65,431$66,200Top Earner (P90)$116,042$100,028US 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 Minneapolis and Duluth 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 Minneapolis spans $50,611,Duluth spans $33,828. Minneapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

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

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

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

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

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Duluth if…

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

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Minneapolis, MN

+20.3%

$77,640 (2019) → $93,370 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+14.8%

$71,440 (2019) → $82,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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 Minneapolis and Duluth?

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

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

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

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

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