Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Auburn Hills, MI: $88,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Auburn Hills, MI earns a median $88,499/year (≈ $42.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Auburn Hills's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $94,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Auburn Hills, MI, prospective speech-language pathologists can expect a median annual salary of $88,499 in 2026, which reflects a notable contrast to the national median of $101,775. This local estimate paints a diverse picture, with a salary range extending from $56,284 at the 10th percentile to $121,102 at the 90th percentile. Given that the school district sector typically employs roughly 55% of SLPs, the structural divide between school-based and medical settings profoundly impacts compensation. Auburn Hills offers a unique blend of opportunities that cater to those interested in either educational contracts during the academic year or year-round positions in medical facilities, where the financial rewards tend to be significantly higher.
About the Auburn Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,284 | $27.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,955 | $33.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,499 | $42.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,506 | $50.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,102 | $58.22 |
Median Salary Position
13.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn Hills
In Auburn Hills, MI, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,818 (2026 est.). At $88,499, the local median is 13.04% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn Hills: You'd be above the median
How Auburn Hills Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Auburn Hills median: $88,499/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $90,675 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -13.04% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Auburn Hills, MI earn a median of $88,499 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $90,675.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn Hills has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn Hills, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $88,499 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,956 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,799
2025 BLS Actual
$85,103
2026 Current Est.
$88,499
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Auburn Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,982 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,747 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,164 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,642 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,621 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,103 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn Hills metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $68,799 (2019) to $85,103 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,231 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn Hills metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $56,284 – $68,955 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,955 – $88,499 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,499 – $104,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,506 – $121,102 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Auburn Hills
Despite the competitive pay scale, it's crucial to consider the cost of living in Auburn Hills, which stands at an index of 93.2. This figure suggests that the purchasing power for speech-language pathologists may not match expectations compared to larger urban centers, where salaries are often adjusted for higher living costs. Among local employers, medical settings such as inpatient rehabilitation facilities generally offer higher salaries compared to school districts. This disparity arises from differences in contract types and the varying demand for bilingual SLPs. For those looking to maximize their pay in Auburn Hills, pursuing certifications, seeking roles in high-paying medical environments, and considering opportunities in telepractice can significantly enhance earnings.
More salary data for Auburn Hills, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Auburn Hills, MI in 2026?
Is Auburn Hills, MI a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Can speech-language pathologists make $100K in Auburn Hills?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted speech-language pathologist salary in Auburn Hills?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $85,103 for speech-language pathologistsin the Auburn Hills metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn Hills is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127).
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