Speech-Language Pathologist

Your Fit

Income

$95K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

19.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Speech-Language Pathologists, also known as Speech Therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. These disorders may result from a variety of causes including stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson's disease, a cleft palate, or autism.

Sample job titles:

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP), Speech and Language Specialist, Speech Pathologist, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Speech-Language Pathologist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$60K per year	$75K per year	$95K per year	$113K per year	$133K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $46K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Speech-Language Pathologist do?

Work environment

Speech-Language Pathologists work in a variety of settings, including educational settings, healthcare facilities like hospitals and rehabilitation centers, and private practices. They may also provide services in patients' homes or via telepractice.

Quick task list

Assesses, diagnoses, and treats speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders.
Develops and implements individualized treatment plans.
Collaborates with teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, and parents.
Educates patients and family members about communication and swallowing strategies.
Conducts research related to speech and language problems.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology: Specializing in speech and language disorders in children.
Neurogenic Communication Disorders: Focusing on communication disorders related to neurological issues.
Voice Disorders: Addressing problems related to voice pitch, volume, and quality.
Swallowing Disorders: Specializing in diagnosing and treating dysphagia.
Fluency Disorders: Focusing on stuttering and other fluency issues.

Description

Speech-Language Pathologists play a vital role in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. They work with individuals who have difficulty speaking, understanding language, using voice, or swallowing. This can involve working with patients who have had strokes, traumatic brain injuries, hearing loss, developmental delays, or other conditions affecting speech and language.

The role is both challenging and diverse, requiring a deep understanding of the physiological and psychological aspects of communication. Speech-Language Pathologists must be adept at creating and implementing effective treatment plans and adapting them to the needs of each individual. This often involves the use of specialized equipment and technology.

Strong interpersonal skills are essential in this field, as Speech-Language Pathologists work closely with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. The ability to communicate effectively and empathetically is crucial in facilitating patient progress and enhancing their quality of life.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a significant difference in the lives of patients by improving their ability to communicate.
Engaging in diverse and challenging work with a variety of patient populations.
Opportunities for ongoing learning and specialization within the field.

You might make a good Speech-Language Pathologist if you are...

Interested in language, speech, and communication processes.
Compassionate, patient, and empathetic, with a desire to help others.
Detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills.
Able to communicate effectively and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Creative in developing and implementing therapy strategies.

Pros:

Rewarding work by helping people improve their communication abilities.
Variety in work settings and patient populations.
High demand for Speech-Language Pathologists in various sectors.

Cons:

The emotional challenge of working with patients with severe communication difficulties.
Keeping up with a large amount of paperwork and documentation.
The need for ongoing professional development to stay current in the field.

How to become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Typical education

Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist typically requires a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology, which usually takes 2 years beyond a 4-year undergraduate degree. Additionally, clinical experience and state licensure are required for practice.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Anatomy to understand the physiological aspects of speech and hearing.
Psychology to gain insights into human behavior and developmental processes.
English and Linguistics to explore language structure and usage.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining drama or debate clubs to develop communication skills.
Volunteering in settings like hospitals, schools, or rehabilitation centers.
Participating in language learning clubs or activities.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders, or a related field.
Gain experience through internships or volunteer opportunities related to speech and language therapy.
Complete a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Obtain state licensure and consider clinical certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

More resources

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - The professional, scientific, and credentialing association for members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) - An association for students interested in the study of communication sciences and disorders.
SpeechPathology.com - Provides online continuing education and career resources for speech-language pathologists.
The International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) - An international organization for professionals in the fields of speech and language therapy.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.