Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Arkansas: $87,975 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $87,975/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,237 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Texarkana ($99,154), Jonesboro ($91,020), Little Rock ($86,380).
In Arkansas, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists is $87,975, which is approximately 13.6% lower than the national median of $101,775. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Texarkana offering the highest average at $103,110, while Van Buren has the lowest at $78,476, creating a notable gap of $24,634. This variance is often attributed to factors such as cost of living differences, local demand for services, and available healthcare funding. Arkansas requires speech-language pathologists to hold state licensure, which includes completing the relevant education and supervised clinical practice. The state's scope of practice laws can influence job responsibilities and settings where professionals work, impacting salary potential. The demand for speech-language pathologists in Arkansas is projected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 3.99%, reflecting a broader need for speech therapy services, especially in schools and healthcare facilities. With a total of 1,831 speech-language pathologists employed in the state, cities like Jonesboro ($94,652), Little Rock ($89,827), North Little Rock ($88,501), and Conway ($87,918) also present varying opportunities for career advancement and salary growth within the field. The job market is supportive, making Arkansas a viable location for professionals in this discipline.
Arkansas Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $46,255 (lowest entry-level) to $140,813 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas speech-language pathologists earn 13.56% less than the national median ($-13,800/year difference).
Arkansas Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Arkansas range from $60,524 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $136,404 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,975. The Arkansas median is $13,800 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $42.30/hr. Approximately 1,831 speech-language pathologists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,096
2025 BLS Actual
$84,599
2026 Current Est.
$87,975
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,096 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,483 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,384 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,797 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,975 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 17.3% from $72,096 (2019) to $84,599 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,389 (26.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $78,476 |
| Bryant | $79,887 |
| Searcy | $80,491 |
| Cabot | $81,342 |
| Russellville | $81,709 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texarkana | $103,110 | 86.9 | $118,654 |
| Jonesboro | $94,652 | 85.876 | $110,219 |
| North Little Rock | $88,501 | 86.9 | $101,842 |
| Conway | $87,918 | 86.9 | $101,171 |
| Little Rock | $89,827 | 89.364 | $100,518 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,524 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,975 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $136,404 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texarkana | $103,110 |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $94,652 |
| 3 | Little Rock | $89,827 |
| 4 | North Little Rock | $88,501 |
| 5 | Conway | $87,918 |
| 6 | Rogers | $85,092 |
| 7 | Springdale | $85,032 |
| 8 | Fort Smith | $84,544 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $83,933 |
| 10 | Fayetteville | $83,722 |
| 11 | Bentonville | $83,521 |
| 12 | Benton | $82,824 |
| 13 | Paragould | $82,588 |
| 14 | Pine Bluff | $82,522 |
| 15 | Hot Springs | $82,214 |
| 16 | Sherwood | $82,142 |
| 17 | Russellville | $81,709 |
| 18 | Cabot | $81,342 |
| 19 | Searcy | $80,491 |
| 20 | Bryant | $79,887 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $78,476 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Arkansas?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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