Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
Table of contents
What they do
Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
- Monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients’ progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Speech-Language Pathologists monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatments accordingly. They complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.
A typical day for a Speech-Language Pathologist will also include:
- Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients’ progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
- Supervise or collaborate with the therapy team.
- Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- Use computer applications to identify or assist with communication disabilities.
- Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Speech-Language Pathologists also administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on the type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments. They may also communicate with non-speaking students, using sign language or computer technology.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders. They might also teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
In addition, they design, develop, or employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.
To some Speech-Language Pathologists, it is also their responsibility to conduct lessons or direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
79% said they were satisfied with their job and 90% said they found their job meaningful.
I am a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The field of speech-language pathology is extremely broad. SLPs can work with patients across the lifespan- from infants to end-of-life. While many SLPs work in the school systems, my work history is primarily in the hospital systems. A typical day of work for an SLP working with adults in … Read More
I worked in both a hospital and early intervention. In a hospital, you will see anywhere from 0-8 patients on average in a day. SLPs main role in the hospital is evaluating and treating swallowing disorders as well as speech, language, voice, and cognitive changes that can emerge after a stroke or brain injury. In … Read More
Speech-language pathologists have many different titles, we are referred to as speech therapists, speech and language therapists, speech pathologists, and swallowing therapists! I like to refer to us speech therapists as a jack of all trades! We address expressive and receptive language disorders, voice, dysarthria, memory, problem-solving, fluency, articulation, resonance, aural rehabilitation, social aspects of … Read More
A career in speech-language pathology challenges you to use your intellect and your heart to do meaningful work. I’m extremely proud to be a part of one of the best professions on the planet. Since the pandemic, we primarily assess and treat pediatric speech, language, feeding delays, and disorders remotely while working with some families … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Demand for this career is growing very fast.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $50,370 to $62,790 per year or $24 to $30 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $122,790 | $59 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $101,110 | $49 |
Median | $80,480 | $39 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $62,790 | $30 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $50,370 | $24 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Speech-Language Pathologists based on their average annual salary.
Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Management of Companies and Enterprises | $114790 | $55.19 |
Child Day Care Services | $102540 | $49.30 |
Offices of Physicians | $98900 | $47.55 |
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $98440 | $47.33 |
Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $97150 | $46.71 |
Individual and Family Services | $96230 | $46.26 |
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $94560 | $45.46 |
Federal Executive Branch | $94250 | $45.31 |
Home Health Care Services | $90080 | $43.31 |
Outpatient Care Centers | $89910 | $43.23 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Speech-Language Pathologists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Speech-Language Pathologists including the average salary in that industry.
Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
---|---|---|---|
Elementary and Secondary Schools | 58530 | $75670 | $36.38 |
Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 34240 | $86020 | $41.36 |
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 17140 | $87480 | $42.06 |
Home Health Care Services | 6410 | $90080 | $43.31 |
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 5990 | $94560 | $45.46 |
Individual and Family Services | 4950 | $96230 | $46.26 |
Specialty Hospitals | 4030 | $87990 | $42.30 |
Federal Executive Branch | 2160 | $94250 | $45.31 |
Educational Support Services | 2080 | $72710 | $34.96 |
Local Government | 1720 | $78610 | $37.79 |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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