Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $83,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time speech-language pathologist in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $83,722/year (≈ $40.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1127). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $91,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for speech-language pathologists is $83,722 in 2026, reflecting a notable disparity compared to the national median of $101,775. Salaries in this field vary widely, with a range from $64,879 for entry-level positions (P10) to $140,813 for those at the top of their field (P90). This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting that the local market is influenced significantly by subspecialties such as dysphagia management, which typically command higher salaries due to the specialized skill set required. In Fayetteville's labor market, medical settings present the highest compensation opportunities, suggesting that SLPs with expertise in medical speech-language pathology will find advantageous financial prospects.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,879 | $31.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,895 | $32.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,722 | $40.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,490 | $56.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,813 | $67.70 |
Median Salary Position
17.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the speech-language pathologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,934 (2026 est.). At $83,722, the local median is 17.74% below the national median of $101,775.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Speech-Language Pathologist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $83,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $84,568 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $101,775 | -17.74% less |
Speech-Language Pathologists in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $83,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.74% lower than the national median of $101,775 and 1.00% below the Arkansas state average of $84,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A speech-language pathologist earning $83,722 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,647 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,190
2025 BLS Actual
$80,510
2026 Current Est.
$83,722
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.3%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,063 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew -8.7% from $88,190 (2019) to $80,510 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,127 (-1.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $64,879 – $67,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,895 – $83,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,722 – $116,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,490 – $140,813 |
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 Fayetteville
The local job market employs approximately 440 speech-language pathologists, creating a competitive environment driven by various sectors including schools, hospitals, and private practices. With a cost of living index of 91.353, Fayetteville offers a relatively affordable backdrop compared to national averages which enhances the purchasing power of SLPs in the area. School districts generally dominate employment, but hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries in the industry. Factors contributing to pay variation include the work setting, educational specialties, and whether positions are year-round or based on school contracts. To maximize compensation, SLPs should seek out opportunities in medical settings, consider obtaining board specialty certifications, and explore telepractice avenues which have gained traction post-2020. Understanding these dynamics will help professionals navigate the speech-language pathologist pay Fayetteville AR effectively.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $80,510 for speech-language pathologistsin the Fayetteville 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