SLP Salary

Jonesboro vs Searcy: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Jonesboro, AR and Searcy, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jonesboro, AR
$94,652
$45.51/hr
Searcy, AR
$80,491
$38.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJonesboro, ARSearcy, AR
Median Salary$94,652$80,491
Hourly Rate$45.51$38.69
Entry Level (P10)$47,315$53,680
25th Percentile$65,056$64,330
75th Percentile$123,561$89,471
Top Earner (P90)$133,263$100,115
Total Employed2405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jonesboro ($94,652) and Searcy ($80,491) speech-language pathologist salaries.JonesboroSearcyMedian Salary$94,652$80,491Entry Level (P10)$47,315$53,680Top Earner (P90)$133,263$100,115US Median $101,775

Verdict

Jonesboro, AR offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Searcy.

The salary gap between Jonesboro and Searcy is $14,161 (17.59%). Jonesboro's median is -7.00% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jonesboro spans $85,948,Searcy spans $46,435. Jonesboro has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jonesboro
P10 (Entry)$47,315
P25$65,056
Median$94,652
P75$123,561
P90 (Top)$133,263
Searcy
P10 (Entry)$53,680
P25$64,330
Median$80,491
P75$89,471
P90 (Top)$100,115

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jonesboro ($110,219 effective) pays 19.00% more than Searcy ($92,625 effective).

Jonesboro
Nominal: $94,652
CoL Index: 85.876
Adjusted: $110,219
Searcy
Nominal: $80,491
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $92,625

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jonesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,652/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,263)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,219)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Searcy if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Jonesboro grew 43.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.9% growth in Searcy over the same period.

Jonesboro, AR

+43.1%

$63,590 (2019) → $91,020 (2025)

Searcy, AR

+19.9%

$64,533 (2024) → $77,403 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Jonesboro or Searcy?

Jonesboro has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $94,652/year, compared to Searcy at $80,491/year — a difference of $14,161 (17.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jonesboro and Searcy?

Jonesboro speech-language pathologists earn $45.51/hr while Searcy hygienists earn $38.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jonesboro to Searcy as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jonesboro and Searcy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jonesboro = $110,219, Searcy = $92,625), job availability (240 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Jonesboro vs Searcy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $47,315 in Jonesboro and $53,680 in Searcy. The Searcy area offers higher starting salaries.
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