SLP Salary

Dallas vs Port Arthur: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Dallas, TX and Port Arthur, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$103,512
$49.77/hr
Port Arthur, TX
$97,714
$46.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXPort Arthur, TX
Median Salary$103,512$97,714
Hourly Rate$49.77$46.98
Entry Level (P10)$72,751$62,831
25th Percentile$84,284$76,899
75th Percentile$122,043$113,211
Top Earner (P90)$136,643$131,266
Total Employed4,80012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($103,512) and Port Arthur ($97,714) speech-language pathologist salaries.DallasPort ArthurMedian Salary$103,512$97,714Entry Level (P10)$72,751$62,831Top Earner (P90)$136,643$131,266US Median $101,775

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Port Arthur.

The salary gap between Dallas and Port Arthur is $5,798 (5.93%). Dallas's median is +1.71% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $63,892,Port Arthur spans $68,435. Port Arthur has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$72,751
P25$84,284
Median$103,512
P75$122,043
P90 (Top)$136,643
Port Arthur
P10 (Entry)$62,831
P25$76,899
Median$97,714
P75$113,211
P90 (Top)$131,266

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Port Arthur ($101,785 effective) pays 1.37% more than Dallas ($100,409 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $103,512
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $100,409
Port Arthur
Nominal: $97,714
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $101,785

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,512/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,643)
  • Larger job market (4,800 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Port Arthur if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,785)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Dallas grew 48.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.8% growth in Port Arthur over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+48.2%

$67,180 (2019) → $99,540 (2025)

Port Arthur, TX

+9.8%

$85,552 (2024) → $93,965 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Dallas or Port Arthur?

Dallas has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $103,512/year, compared to Port Arthur at $97,714/year — a difference of $5,798 (5.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Port Arthur?

Dallas speech-language pathologists earn $49.77/hr while Port Arthur hygienists earn $46.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Port Arthur as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Port Arthur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $100,409, Port Arthur = $101,785), job availability (4,800 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Dallas vs Port Arthur?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $72,751 in Dallas and $62,831 in Port Arthur. The Dallas 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