Jacksonville vs Little Rock: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Jacksonville, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Jacksonville, AR | Little Rock, AR |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $83,933 | $89,827▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $40.35 | $43.19▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,717 | $65,389▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $67,123 | $74,457▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $97,639 | $126,025▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $112,431 | $139,409▲ |
| Total Employed | 7 | 810▲ |
Verdict
Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jacksonville.
The salary gap between Jacksonville and Little Rock is $5,894 (7.02%). Little Rock's median is -11.74% compared to the US national median of $101,775.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jacksonville spans $56,714,Little Rock spans $74,020. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Rock ($100,518 effective) pays 4.07% more than Jacksonville ($96,586 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Jacksonville if…
- ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle
Choose Little Rock if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($89,827/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($139,409)
- ✓Larger job market (810 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,518)
- ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Jacksonville grew 19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.3% growth in Little Rock over the same period.
Jacksonville, AR
$67,292 (2024) → $80,713 (2025)
Little Rock, AR
$70,070 (2019) → $86,380 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Jacksonville, AR
Little Rock, AR
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Jacksonville or Little Rock?
What is the hourly rate difference between Jacksonville and Little Rock?
Should I relocate from Jacksonville to Little Rock as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Jacksonville vs Little Rock?
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
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