Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Russellville, AR: $81,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Russellville, AR earns a median $81,709/year (≈ $39.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Russellville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $94,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Russellville, Arkansas, the compensation for speech-language pathologists reflects the region's unique demands, particularly in the area of dysphagia and other medical specialties. The 2026 median salary for this profession is projected to be $81,709, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,775. Salaries vary significantly in Russellville, with the lower 10% earning $57,323 and the upper 90% achieving $110,187. Figures such as these are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors. This local market, while competitive, underscores the additional financial benefits associated with medical SLP roles compared to their counterparts in educational settings.
About the Russellville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,323 | $27.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,623 | $32.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,709 | $39.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,500 | $45.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,187 | $52.97 |
Median Salary Position
19.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Russellville
In Russellville, AR, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,864 (2026 est.). At $81,709, the local median is 19.72% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Russellville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Russellville Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Russellville median: $81,709/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Russellville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $84,585 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -19.72% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Russellville, AR earn a median of $81,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.72% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $84,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Russellville 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.
Russellville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $81,709 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,026 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,521
2025 BLS Actual
$78,574
2026 Current Est.
$81,709
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,521 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,613 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,551 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,509 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Russellville metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 23.7% from $63,521 (2019) to $78,574 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,448 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Russellville 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) | $57,323 – $67,623 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,623 – $81,709 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,709 – $95,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,500 – $110,187 |
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 Russellville
In analyzing the local job market, Russellville employs around six speech-language pathologists, a number that highlights the specialized nature of the field. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, the purchasing power in this area may slightly offset the lower salary figures, allowing for comfortable living expenses. Among various employers, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, primarily due to the complex nature of care. The disparity in wages can be attributed to various factors including the setting of employment, year-round contracts versus school-year contracts, and specialized skills such as bilingual proficiency. To maximize earnings, professionals might consider diversifying their practice to teletherapy, which has grown significantly since 2020, or obtaining additional board certifications that might attract higher stipends in this evolving market.
More salary data for Russellville, 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 $78,574 for speech-language pathologistsin the Russellville 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 Russellville 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