Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Benton, AR: $82,824 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Benton, AR earns a median $82,824/year (≈ $39.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $95,310 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the projected salary for a speech-language pathologist is estimated to be $82,824 annually in 2026, which represents a notable difference when juxtaposed against the national median of $101,775. This salary comes within a range of $52,783 at the lower end to $108,773 at the upper end, reflecting the varied settings and types of roles available to SLPs in the region. Based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost measures, these figures hint at a unique interplay between the demand for speech therapy and the market's structural elements, particularly the division between school-based contracts and those in medical or clinical settings. This distinction often influences annual earning potential and job availability in Benton, both of which impact the local job market for SLPs.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,783 | $25.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,872 | $31.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,824 | $39.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,025 | $45.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,773 | $52.30 |
Median Salary Position
18.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,990 (2026 est.). At $82,824, the local median is 18.62% below the national median of $101,775.
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At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be above the median
How Benton Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Benton median: $82,824/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $84,514 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -18.62% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Benton, AR earn a median of $82,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.62% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $84,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,824 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,310 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,387
2025 BLS Actual
$79,646
2026 Current Est.
$82,824
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,494 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,339 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,664 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,824 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $64,387 (2019) to $79,646 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,742 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,783 – $64,872 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,872 – $82,824 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,824 – $95,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,025 – $108,773 |
SLP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual speech-language pathologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Speech-Language Pathologist Job Market in Benton
Currently, only five speech-language pathologists are employed in Benton, Arkansas, indicating a compact job market for this field. The cost of living index in the area sits at 86.9, below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of SLPs earning local salaries. Employers within school districts, particularly in Benton, typically offer lower pay compared to medical facilities focused on inpatient rehabilitation or skilled nursing, where salaries are generally more competitive due to the demand for specialized skills, such as dysphagia treatment. The pay disparity is further influenced by factors such as the contract type—school year versus year-round—and additional incentives like bilingual qualifications or telepractice positions that often command elevated hourly rates. For SLPs looking to maximize their pay in Benton, targeting medical and specialized clinical roles, seeking board certifications, and exploring telepractice opportunities could lead to better compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,646 for speech-language pathologistsin the Benton metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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