Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Duluth, MN: $85,272 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Duluth, MN earns a median $85,272/year (≈ $40.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $96,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, speech-language pathologists in Duluth, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $85,272. This figure reflects the growing demand for services in the region, with compensation ranging from $66,200 for the lowest 10% of earners to $100,028 for those at the top 10%. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The salaries in Duluth are notably below the national median of $101,775, indicating that local pay may not fully match the higher compensation scales seen in other states. However, factors such as telepractice opportunities and a lower cost of living can enhance the effective hourly compensation for many practitioners in this city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,200 | $31.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,753 | $37.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,272 | $40.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,376 | $46.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,028 | $48.10 |
Median Salary Position
16.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,828 (2026 est.). At $85,272, the local median is 16.22% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be above the median
How Duluth Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Duluth median: $85,272/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $87,279 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -16.22% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Duluth, MN earn a median of $85,272 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.22% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.30% below the Minnesota state average of $87,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $85,272 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,062 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,440
2025 BLS Actual
$82,000
2026 Current Est.
$85,272
2019–2027 Growth
+24.1%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,272 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,674 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 14.8% from $71,440 (2019) to $82,000 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,674 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,234 (24.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $66,200 – $77,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,753 – $85,272 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,272 – $97,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,376 – $100,028 |
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 Duluth
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Duluth is relatively stable, with 130 professionals currently employed in the field. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 88.768, which suggests that local salaries provide a comfortable standard of living. Key employers include school districts, which comprise the largest portion of job opportunities, as well as hospitals and specialized clinics. The spread between the higher and lower salaries in Duluth can be driven by various factors, such as whether an SLP works in a medical setting versus educational environments. Additional considerations may include the nature of their contract, available stipends for board-certified specialties, and bonuses for bilingual proficiency. For those looking to maximize their pay in Duluth, focusing on roles in high-demand medical facilities or pursuing additional credentials could be beneficial strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $82,000 for speech-language pathologistsin the Duluth 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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