Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Little Rock, AR
Speech-Language Pathologists in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area earn a median $86,380 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,442 take-home, or $5,537 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median speech-language pathologist salary in Little Rock, AR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,174
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,356
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,253
- Arkansas income tax$3,156
- Take-home pay$66,442
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.90% state
Speech-Language Pathologist pay by experience in Little Rock, AR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,880 | $30.23 | $50,464 | $4,205 |
| 25th percentile | $71,600 | $34.42 | $56,621 | $4,718 |
| Median (50th) | $86,380 | $41.53 | $66,442 | $5,537 |
| 75th percentile | $121,190 | $58.26 | $89,573 | $7,464 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,060 | $64.45 | $97,880 | $8,157 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arkansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,380 buys in Little Rock, AR
Prices in Little Rock, AR are 10.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 32% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median speech-language pathologist's $66,442 take-home pay has the buying power of $74,350 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Little Rock, AR has 1.9× the national concentration of speech-language pathologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for speech-language pathologists, adjusted for cost of living
Little Rock, AR ranks #34 of 71 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Paso, TX | $99,430 | $78,779 | $87,618 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $106,290 | $83,605 | $85,254 |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $103,420 | $78,084 | $83,894 |
| 4 | McAllen, TX | $89,860 | $72,047 | $83,877 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $132,720 | $92,141 | $83,444 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $126,360 | $88,468 | $82,937 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $104,510 | $82,353 | $82,176 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $98,900 | $76,469 | $81,416 |
| 34 | Little Rock, AR | $86,380 | $66,442 | $74,350 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries elsewhere in Arkansas
- Fayetteville, AR — $80,510
Frequently asked questions
How much does a speech-language pathologist make in Little Rock, AR?
The median speech-language pathologist salary in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area is $86,380 a year, or about $41.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,600 and $121,190.
What is a speech-language pathologist’s take-home pay in Little Rock, AR?
On the median $86,380 salary, a single filer living in Arkansas takes home about $66,442 a year ($5,537 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,156 in Arkansas taxes in 2026.
Is Little Rock, AR a good place to work as a speech-language pathologist?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $97,870. Local prices are 10.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $74,350 would in a typical U.S. city. Little Rock, AR ranks #34 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a speech-language pathologist afford rent in Little Rock, AR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Little Rock, AR is $984 a month ($1,143 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median speech-language pathologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Little Rock, AR
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- Nurse Practitioner — $126,680
- Occupational Therapist — $104,680
- Physical Therapist — $99,940
- Dental Hygienist — $89,160
- Registered Nurse — $81,070
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- Physicians, All Other — $74,500
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