Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $82,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $82,214/year (≈ $39.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $95,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is estimated to be $82,214. This figure positions local SLPs significantly below the national median of $101,775, emphasizing a nearly 20% difference in compensation. Salaries for speech-language pathologists in this area can vary widely, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $46,255, while the top 90% can command as much as $139,440. Such disparity highlights the demand for specialized skills, particularly in areas like dysphagia management, which often attracts a premium in medical SLP positions. The data presented is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, offering insight into the compensation landscape for this profession in Hot Springs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,255 | $22.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,214 | $39.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,025 | $60.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,440 | $67.04 |
Median Salary Position
19.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,185 (2026 est.). At $82,214, the local median is 19.22% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $82,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $84,583 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -19.22% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $82,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.22% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 2.80% below the Arkansas state average of $84,583.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $82,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,899 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,390
2025 BLS Actual
$79,060
2026 Current Est.
$82,214
2019–2027 Growth
+57.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,495 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 45.4% from $54,390 (2019) to $79,060 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,495 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,105 (57.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $46,255 – $67,770 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,770 – $82,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,214 – $126,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,025 – $139,440 |
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 Hot Springs
The job market for speech-language pathologists in Hot Springs is relatively stable, with about 60 professionals currently employed in the field. The cost of living index stands at 85.73, suggesting that while salaries are lower compared to national norms, purchasing power can remain competitive due to the area's affordability. Among the various employers, medical facilities such as hospital inpatient rehab services and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, reflecting the intrinsic value placed on SLPs specializing in medically necessary interventions. Factors contributing to the salary range in Hot Springs include contractual differences—such as the varied pay structures between year-round and school-year positions—as well as additional incentives like board specialty certification stipends or higher pay for bilingual clinicians in certain contexts. To maximize earnings, prospective SLPs are advised to consider telepractice options, as these have seen substantial growth and often provide flexible, higher hourly rates than traditional settings. Adjusting one's focus based on market demand can lead to improved compensation within this specific regional landscape.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $79,060 for speech-language pathologistsin the Hot Springs 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
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