Bentonville vs Fayetteville: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Bentonville, AR and Fayetteville, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Bentonville, AR | Fayetteville, AR |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $83,521 | $83,722▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $40.15 | $40.25▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,358 | $64,879▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $68,230▲ | $67,895 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,213 | $116,490▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $110,848 | $140,813▲ |
| Total Employed | 12 | 440▲ |
Verdict
Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bentonville.
The salary gap between Bentonville and Fayetteville is $201 (0.24%). Fayetteville's median is -17.74% compared to the US national median of $101,775.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bentonville spans $60,490,Fayetteville spans $75,934. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Bentonville ($96,112 effective) pays 4.87% more than Fayetteville ($91,647 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Bentonville if…
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,112)
- ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle
Choose Fayetteville if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($83,722/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($140,813)
- ✓Larger job market (440 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Bentonville grew 19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -8.7% growth in Fayetteville over the same period.
Bentonville, AR
$66,962 (2024) → $80,316 (2025)
Fayetteville, AR
$88,190 (2019) → $80,510 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Bentonville, AR
Fayetteville, AR
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Bentonville or Fayetteville?
What is the hourly rate difference between Bentonville and Fayetteville?
Should I relocate from Bentonville to Fayetteville as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Bentonville vs Fayetteville?
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
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