Healthcare Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median speech therapy assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR is $37,440 per year, which is 22% below the national median and 4.9% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$37,440
vs State Avg
$-1,920
vs National
$-10,560
Cost of Living
80%

Speech Therapy Assistant Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median speech therapy assistant salary of $37,440, which is $1,920 below the Arkansas state average of $39,360. Compared to the national median of $48,000, Fort Smith pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Smith's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $37,440 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $46,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for speech therapy assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for speech therapy assistants in Fort Smith spans from $24,960 at the 10th percentile to $57,720 at the 90th percentile — a $32,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,520, while senior speech therapy assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $54,600. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level speech therapy assistant earns around $26,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $54,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,520
$-7,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,220
$-10,780 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$54,600
$-15,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $24,960
25th Percentile $29,640
Median (50th) $37,440
75th Percentile $48,360
90th Percentile $57,720

Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$41,280
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$40,800
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$39,360
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$38,400
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Speech Therapy Assistant in Fort Smith

Education

Most speech therapy assistant positions require a associate's degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Speech TherapyPatient CareDocumentationCommunicationPatienceTherapy Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, speech therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Speech Therapy Assistant Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open speech therapy assistant positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Speech Therapy Assistant Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Speech Therapy Assistant make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median speech therapy assistant salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $37,440 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $48,000. Salaries range from $24,960 (10th percentile) to $57,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Speech Therapy Assistant make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $37,440, a speech therapy assistant in Fort Smith earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for speech therapy assistant pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median speech therapy assistant salary of $37,440 is 4.9% below the Arkansas state average of $39,360. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
Fort Smith has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a speech therapy assistant salary of $37,440 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a speech therapy assistant in Fort Smith? ▼
Most speech therapy assistant positions in Fort Smith require a associate's degree. Key skills include Speech Therapy, Patient Care, Documentation, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.