SLP Salary

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

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

Duluth, MN
$85,272
$40.99/hr
Lakeville, MN
$85,743
$41.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNLakeville, MN
Median Salary$85,272$85,743
Hourly Rate$40.99$41.22
Entry Level (P10)$66,200$57,724
25th Percentile$77,753$69,485
75th Percentile$97,376$98,115
Top Earner (P90)$100,028$121,384
Total Employed13015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($85,272) and Lakeville ($85,743) speech-language pathologist salaries.DuluthLakevilleMedian Salary$85,272$85,743Entry Level (P10)$66,200$57,724Top Earner (P90)$100,028$121,384US Median $101,775

Verdict

Lakeville, MN offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Lakeville is $471 (0.55%). Lakeville's median is -15.75% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $33,828,Lakeville spans $63,660. Lakeville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$66,200
P25$77,753
Median$85,272
P75$97,376
P90 (Top)$100,028
Lakeville
P10 (Entry)$57,724
P25$69,485
Median$85,743
P75$98,115
P90 (Top)$121,384

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($96,062 effective) pays 10.35% more than Lakeville ($87,049 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $85,272
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $96,062
Lakeville
Nominal: $85,743
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $87,049

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,062)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Lakeville if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,743/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,384)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Duluth grew 14.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.9% growth in Lakeville over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+14.8%

$71,440 (2019) → $82,000 (2025)

Lakeville, MN

+-0.9%

$83,229 (2024) → $82,453 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lakeville has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $85,743/year, compared to Duluth at $85,272/year — a difference of $471 (0.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Lakeville?

Duluth speech-language pathologists earn $40.99/hr while Lakeville hygienists earn $41.22/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Lakeville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $96,062, Lakeville = $87,049), job availability (130 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $66,200 in Duluth and $57,724 in Lakeville. 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