Average Salary Of Speech Pathologist

What Influences A Salary

The salary of a Speech Pathologist is determined by a number of factors, including education, experience, and job location. In this article, we will take a closer look at how these factors impact salary.

Years of experience

Salary increases are generally tied to your experience level. In general, the more years you spend working as a speech pathologist, the more you can expect to earn. Heres how experience can impact your speech pathologist salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Compensation Survey.

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Speech Pathologist Salary And Career Outlook

Becoming a speech-language pathologist, or SLP for short, is an extremely wise career choice because of the earning potential, career outlook, and job stability it holds. In the 21st century, speech pathologists play an important role in diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders in patients of varying ages. Typically, speech pathologists are required to hold at least a masters degree in the field and often have to be licensed and/or certified.

Learn more about online speech pathology masters programs

Gaining a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology can open the door to a variety of careers within the field, explore online programs.

Careers in speech pathology or, as its commonly called, speech therapy, can take place in a variety of settings. A few of the many options include schools and educational institutions, private clinical settings, and medical facilities. More information on the various career paths for speech therapists can be found in the section below!

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Skills That Speech Pathologists Need

There are a number of skills that speech pathologists need to succeed in their roles, including:

• Communication: Speech pathologists need to be able to communicate with patients, their families and other appropriate parties about diagnoses and treatment plans.

• Compassion: They must be able to offer emotional support to their patients and the families with whom they work, as their patients often exhibit frustration over their limitations.

• Detail-oriented: Speech pathologists must be able to listen closely to what their patients tell them in order to improve their speech.

• Critical thinking: Strong critical thinking skills are important to evaluate a patient’s condition and determine the most appropriate course of action for their treatment.

Speech Pathologist Job Outlook And Prospects

The United States Labor Statistics project that 26,000 additional positions for speech pathologists will be created between 2012 and 2022. Some of the factors contributing to this increase include:

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Becoming A Medical Speech

Compassionate, detail-oriented people with good communication skills and a passion for science might be interested in a career as a medical speech-language pathologist. This role will keep you on your toes and allow you to do something different every day. Speechlanguage pathologists spend a lot of time with patients evaluating and treating their conditions, as well as time with caretakers and other members of the health care team to explain diet changes and other care instructions.

Gain Experience In A Fellowship

Some master’s programs offer fellowships or internships. These experiences can prove beneficial since the CCC-SLP requires a specific number of fellowship hours. Whereas internships usually apply to students currently taking courses, students who have already graduated typically take on fellowships.

Internships and fellowships help students gain practical experience in speech-language pathology under a certified speech-language pathologist’s direct supervision.

During this time, students can apply their course knowledge to real-life situations and fine-tune their skills. Some programs that prepare students for clinical careers require clinical practicum hours.

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What Does A Medical Speech

A medical speech-language pathologist works in health care and diagnoses and treats a wide range of speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. They work with patients affected by a variety of neurological events, such as brain damage, stroke, seizure, or cancer. They may also work with patients who suffer from chronic diseases or who have experienced a trauma.

Speech pathologists examine patients and create treatment plans tailored to their needs. These patients may have speech articulation issues, voice quality problems, or language disorders. Treatment could be modifying a patients diet or prescribing a speech-generating device.

Job Description For Speech And Language Pathologist

Speech and Language Pathologist assesses and treats speech and language disorders and impairments. Conducts evaluations of an individual’s speech and language skills using relevant diagnostic materials and tools. Being a Speech and Language Pathologist develops treatment plans that utilize appropriate intervention approaches, strategies, and materials. Establishes treatment priorities that include advising, educating, and counseling. Additionally, Speech and Language Pathologist completes required documentation to record assessment and progress. Collaborates with physicians, family members, and other clinical providers to provide effective therapies. May direct support staff in assisting with treatment. Requires a master’s degree in speech pathology or equivalent. Requires ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and applicable State License to Practice. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Speech and Language Pathologist‘s years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position’s specialty is the main requirement. … View full job description

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Speech Pathologist Career Outlook

There is an expected growth in the field of speech pathology for professional of 18 percent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the major factors that cause a rising need for speech professionals include: a large population of older adults from the baby boomer generation, improved knowledge and awareness of speech problems in children, and medical advances in general.

As the average growth in employment between 2016 and 2026 for all occupations is 7%, it bodes well for those interested or entering the field of speech pathology that the need for SLPs is greatly outpacing this figure.

What Does A Speech Pathologist Do

A speech pathologist is a professional who treats people of all ages for communication and swallowing problems. These individuals may have problems with speech sounds, language, literacy, fluency or feeding and swallowing. Some of a speech pathologist’s primary duties include:

• Diagnosing and treating disorders with language, speech and swallowing

• Performing screenings for people of all ages to detect any speech or voice disorder

• Educating the public, patients and their families about speech disorders and what can cause them

• Keeping detailed patient records about their conditions, treatment plans and progress

• Creating treatment plans to meet the individual needs of a diverse group of patients

• Reporting patient progress and their current status to different parties, including medical professionals, family members or teachers

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Speech Pathologist Salary And Employment Outlook

ZipRecruiter cites a wide salary range for the speech pathologist entry-level salary, from $20,500 to $136,000 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median 2020 salary for all speech-language pathologists was $80,480 per year, or $38.69 per hour. Median pay means that half the people in the occupation earned more, while half earned less.

As with most jobs, geographic location is one of the biggest factors determining wages. According to the BLS, earnings were highest for speech-language pathologists in the following locations:

• Washington, D.C.: $101,920

Metro areas with the highest salaries included:

• Modesto, CA: $128,540

Non-metro areas with the highest reported averages included:

• North coast region of California: $107,730
• Northeast Virginia: $105,720
• Connecticut : $100,820
• Central Louisiana: $98,730

The BLS projects a 25 percent job growth rate for speech-language pathologists through 2029, a rate considered much faster than average when compared to all other jobs. As the Baby Boomer population ages, there will be greater demand for services where speech and language impairments are issues, such as with dementia and stroke.

References

Speech Pathologist Assessment Jobs

• O Working with regional personnel to support program planning teams link assessment and instructional practice.
• Reports to: Coordinator of Student Services.

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Speech And Language Pathologistsalary

• Resume Critique

How much does a Speech and Language Pathologist make in the United States? The average Speech and Language Pathologist salary in the United States is $87,827 as of August 29, 2022, but the range typically falls between $80,566 and $95,377. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Speech Therapist In Schools1

SLP professionals that work in school settings focus their attention on students of all ages who have trouble with communication, swallowing disorders, and a variety of other issues. They provide treatment options, one-on-one therapy and other means of support to students in need.

The average salary for speech therapists in schools, according to the BLS, is $66,960.

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Requirements For Speech Pathologists

Here are the basic educational requirements you must need to qualify for a position as a speech pathologist:

• Master’s degree: Speech pathologists are typically expected to have a minimum of a master’s degree. While these graduate degree programs don’t require a particular bachelor’s degree to qualify, there are certain courses that they may require applicants to have completed. Those requirements can vary from one school to the next. During graduate school, students will complete coursework in age-specific speech disorders, speech and language development and swallowing disorders.

• Licensure: Many states require speech pathologists to be licensed. While licensure requirements can vary somewhat, most generally require candidates to complete a master’s degree program from an accredited school, obtain supervised clinical experience and pass a licensure examination.

• Experience: Aspiring speech pathologists are required to have some hands-on experience, which they can gain through their supervised clinical work. This experience is similar to an internship, where speech pathologists get the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that they learned within their academic program.

Transparency And Equity In Tech

Tech jobs are known for commanding high pay, thanks to an exploding need for people to build the products and services we rely on every day, and a shortage of workers with the right skillsets to keep pace. The average software engineer earned roughly $153,000 in 2020, according toa report from Hired, a marketplace for tech jobs.

But for such a fast-growing and socially impactful industry, tech is widely known for its lack of racial and gender diversity. Like many industries, white men are consistently paid more than peers who are Black, Hispanic and women making discussions of salary transparency and pay equity all the more important.

As a white woman, Sarah is fully aware of these gaps and tries to be as open about her pay as possible. “Transparency is key to be paid fairly,” she says. “Had I not had access to data online, I probably would have accepted what I was offered when I deserved to be paid more.”

She wants her own salary story to help other people new to tech, especially women and young girls thinking of entering the field.

“In the bigger picture, there aren’t enough role models of women in tech being transparent about their work and what they make, which could help young girls aspire to do that,” Sarah says. “A lot of girls think of tech as a field that they don’t belong in I know I felt that way.”

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National Asha Certification & State Licensing

Perhaps the most important step in this journey is securing your official credentials as a speech-language pathologist. ASHA, which oversees the certification process, lists four requirements that you must meet to obtain your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology :

Each state has its own guidelines for licensure. Certain states require fewer hours of clinical experience than others. Some state-specific requirements may depend on the setting you plan to work in, such as education, telemedicine, or early intervention. Check the ASHA State-by-State resource page for more information.

What Is A Speech Pathologist

A speech pathologist is someone who specializes in communicative disorders. This can include pronunciation/phonology, syntax, and grammar and semantic rules. They also work with swallowing disorders. For information on becoming a speech pathologist and what they do, please visit our speech pathologist job description page.

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What Is A Good Starting Salary For A Speech Language Pathologist

A good starting salary for a speech language pathologist is $49,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a speech language pathologist in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for speech language pathologists is $65,973, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a speech language pathologist can vary by state.

Self Employed Speech Therapist 1

Although many settings have a need for certified speech pathologists, it is also possible to be self-employed as an SLP. Many speech therapists will travel to their patients homes directly and work with them there- a comfortable and familiar setting. This is a great option for SLPs who wish to work part-time which, according to the BLS, one out of every for speech pathologists did in 2016.

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The National Shortage Of Speech Pathologists

Increasing awareness of communication disorders, such as stuttering and autism, continue to raise the demand for SLPs who focus on young patients. Some states are projecting shortages of school-based speech-language pathologists for the 20222023 school year, particularly in Connecticut, Nevada, North Dakota, and West Virginia.13 To take advantage of such shortages, consider being open to relocating for a great job opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming A Speech Pathologist

Speech pathologists must have a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field and a master’s degree in speech pathology from an accredited college or university. They also must complete supervised clinical hours, pass the CCC-SLP exam, and be licensed to practice in their state.

To get licensed, candidates have to submit the appropriate documentation to their state and, in some cases, have additional work experience.

Thirty hours of continuing education are also required every three years. Finally, speech pathologists can become board-certified in different specialties.

In general, it takes 6-7 years to become a speech pathologist since adequate schooling on both the undergraduate and graduate level are required to become a professional in this field.

Candidates then must complete a 36-week fellowship supervised by a speech pathology professional, as well as pass the CCC-SLP exam. The exam may also demand additional hours of studying.

Once these parts of the process are completed, candidates may have to finish a certain amount of on-the-ground work experience. Then you must factor in the time spent getting a license. It is not a fast process.

There is no way someone can become a practicing speech pathologist without a speech pathology master’s degree. This field requires a body of specialized knowledge in order to adequately help clients in need.

How much of the program is online versus in person depends on the school and specific requirements.

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Earn A Master’s In Speech

Speech-language pathologists typically need a master’s degree to work in their field. Most master’s programs take two years to complete.

Through coursework and practicum experience, graduate students typically learn about speech and language development, speech disorders unique to specific age groups, and swallowing physiology.

They also acquire skills in research methods and clinical service delivery. Prospective students might consider programs that provide study abroad opportunities and specialized clinical training.

Many speech pathologist programs offer concentrations in areas like autism spectrum disorders, aphasia, child language disorders, swallowing disorders, and fluency disorders.

To gain licensure in speech-language pathology, prospective students should make sure the program they enroll in holds the proper accreditation. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers accreditation through its Council on Academic Accreditation.