National Physical Therapy Month: An Experts Advocacy Guide For Pts
What started as a profession primarily concerned with getting war veterans and casualties back up on their feet is now a highly scientific and broad-ranging field that helps people manage pain, recover from injuries, reduce the risk of future injury and chronic disease, and improve overall life quality.
The First Step Into A Promising Slp Career
Speech-language pathologists enjoy high salaries, robust job growth, and numerous avenues for career growth. If you believe that becoming an SLP is the right move for you, the first step toward breaking into the field is to complete a related masters degree, such as a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.
When selecting a program to enroll in, there are several factors to consider, including the quality of the facilities, whether or not the faculty consists of individuals with experience in the field, and clinical placement opportunities.
Students enrolled in the MS in Speech-Language Pathology program at Northeastern complete their initial clinical training in the on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Center to develop competence in the foundation skills they will use throughout their careers. Faculty members are active in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology, in addition to being world-renowned researchers contributing to the progression of the discipline.
Students must complete a total of four clinical courses, gaining the hands-on experience that they will need to be successful in the field. Once the first semester of clinical training is completed at the on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Center, the following semesters include Advanced Clinical Programming at the Center along with off-campus work in community-based hospitals, clinics, educational facilities, etc.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A Guide To Slp Salaries In All 50 States
Learn more about the earning power of SLPs in your state by checking out the following BLS salary stats for SLPs in the 50th-90th percentiles:
Salary and employment data compiled by the United States Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019. Figures represent accumulated data for all employment sectors in which speech-language pathologists work. BLS salary data represents average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries.
Salary and employment data compiled by ASHAs 2020 SLP Healthcare Survey. Figures represent accumulated data for all employment sectors in which speech-language pathologists work. This data does not represent starting salaries.
All salary and employment data accessed September 2020.
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How To Become A Speech Pathologist
Speech pathologists help people dealing with speech impediments and/or swallowing disorders. Here are the steps to become a speech pathologist.
- Speech pathologists evaluate and treat people with speech impediments.
- To become a speech pathologist, you need both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
- You also have to complete a supervised clinical fellowship and pass a licensing exam.
- Once you complete each of these steps, you can become a practicing speech pathologist.
Speech-language pathologists work closely with people who have various speech impediments and swallowing disorders.
To become a speech pathologist, individuals must complete a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare or related field, complete graduate school with a speech pathology degree, work post-grad clinical hours, and pass a licensing exam.
www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Become Licensed To Practice
To get a speech-language pathology license, candidates have to obtain their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, complete a fellowship, pass the CCC-SLP exam, and submit appropriate documentation. Many states also require additional work experience. This process generally takes 6-7 years total.
Fees and requirements for a speech-language pathology license vary by state. Once licensed, speech pathologists can become practicing professionals in their state.
Hiring Bonuses And Other Salary Perks For Speech
Total compensation in the SLP field includes both salary and bonuses, often as a result of holding the CCC-SLP. Its quite common for employers in states that dont require the CCC-SLP for licensure to encourage SLPs to earn this national designation by offering hiring/annual bonuses and/or higher salaries. Also, many of the nations top employers of SLPs now require this designation as a condition of employment, so holding the CCC-SLP may be your ticket to more and higher-paying job opportunities.
Employers across the country continue to struggle with recruitment and retention of SLPs, so its quite common to find employers offering sign-on bonuses, relocation bonuses, and more. A quick search of current SLP jobs throughout the country revealed signing bonuses reaching $2,500, relocation assistance, and even student loan repayment.
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Speech Therapist In Private Clinics1
Speech Therapists working in private clinics such as a nursing home or a resedential care facility will typically work to address and diagnose speech and swallowing disorders and work with patients directly over a length of time.
The average salary for speech therapists in nursing and residential care facilities, according to the BLS, is $93,110.
Slp Salaries And How Experience Influences Earning Potential
Strong salaries continue to dominate the SLP field and reaching a six-figure salary isnt out of the question here.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , speech-language pathologists earned an average, annual salary of $77,510 as of May 2019. The top earners in the profession earned an average salary of $97,770.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Associations 2019 annual SLP Healthcare Survey reported a similar annual average salary for speech-language pathologists of $78,000. Those in the top 25th percentile earned an average salary of $92,000.
Speech-language pathologists share similar qualifications, including a graduate education in speech-language pathology thats been accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology , pre-licensure professional experiences, a state license and, in many cases, the through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for licensure or recognize it as a path to licensure).
Because of these fairly standard license and practice requirements, you wont find much difference in salaries here. However, where you practice and how long youve been practicing does influence your earning power in the SLP field.
According to ASHA, SLPs with 1-3 years of experience earned an average salary of $66,000. Salaries continue to grow until reaching a peak at about 20 years of experience:
- 4-6 years: $72,000
- 19-21 years: $100,000
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Licenses Certifications And Registrations
All states regulate speech-language pathologists. Most states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed other states require registration. Licensure typically requires at least a masters degree from an accredited program, supervised clinical experience, and passing an exam. For specific requirements, contact your states medical or health licensure board.
Speech-language pathologists can earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology , offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Certification typically satisfies some or all of the requirements for state licensure and may be required by some employers. To earn CCC-SLP certification, candidates must graduate from an accredited program, pass an exam, and complete a fellowship under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist. To maintain the CCC-SLP credential, speech-language pathologists must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 3 years.
Speech-language pathologists who work in schools may need a specific teaching certification. For specific requirements, contact your states department of education or the private institution in which you are interested.
How Much Does A Speech
A speech-language pathologist working in the US earns an average of $79,060 a year, or about $38.01 an hour. As of 2020, this average is reflective of all of the 158,100 jobs available . Factors like certifications, location, work schedule, and the employer will affect a speech-language pathologistâs salary.
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How Long Does A Master’s In Speech
A masterâs program in speech-language pathology typically takes about two years to complete or about 48 academic credit hours. This includes at least 350 to 400 hours of supervised clinical experience. Certain factors like academic credit requirements and program structure may affect this timeline. â
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.
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Education Requirements For Speech
What are the education requirements to become a speech-language pathologist? Here are some steps youll have to take:
- You must get a bachelors degree first. Some universities have undergraduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Thats the best option. If not, you may want to major in something like English, Speech, or Communications. However, you can often enter a masters degree program with an unrelated degree .
- You must get a masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited university. This will include both classroom training and clinical hours and skills exams.
- Complete a 36-week clinical fellowship.
- Pass all skills exams, as well as the State Boards exam. Some states will require certification or additional requirements. See your state for specifics.
- Maintain continuing education requirements.
- Visit ASHA.org for more specific information on Speech-Language Pathology requirements, certifications, and testing.
Speech-language pathologists can earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology , offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Want To Become An Slp Earn An Ms Online At Nyu
NYU Steinhardts online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.
- Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure
- Accredited by ASHAs Council on Academic Accreditation
- As few as six terms to complete
- Full-time and part-time plans of study
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Earning Potential By State
Other factors play a role in determining salary, too. Due to variations in demand, cost of living, and funding for SLP positions in public schools, SLPs may have a higher earning potential in some states than others.
The following states and districts are the top five highest-paying areas for SLPs in the country:4
- California As an SLP in the Golden State, you can earn a mean salary of $102,650 per year.
- Hawaii SLPs living in this Pacific archipelago earn an average salary of $100,120.
- New York Expect to earn around $98,850/year in New York.
- New Jersey New Jerseybased SLPs have an annual salary of about $98,270.
- District of Columbia SLPs in D.C. earn an annual mean salary of $98,240
In some states where the cost of living is lower, SLPs may earn in the range of $69,430 to $77,240 per year5. These states include:6
One of the best parts of working as an SLP is the transferability of your job. If youre willing to relocate, you can apply your skills anywhere in the country and seek out higher wages.
How Much Do Speech
Of course, before you can become an SLP, you need to:
- Nail your graduate school interview .
- Pass the Praxis exam.
- Get licensed in your state.
Next, its time to start job hunting. But how much can you expect to earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median salary for speech-language pathologists as of May 2021 was $79,060/year, or $38/hour1
Of course, some SLPs are earning more than $79,000 annually, and some are earning less. Your exact salary will depend on several factorsone of which is experience.
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Consider Continuing Education Or Specialization
After passing the CCC-SLP exam, speech pathologists have to complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years in order to remain in good standing. Speech therapists who work in schools may also need a teaching credential.
Speech pathologists can also become board-certified specialists by passing additional exams. Specialties include treating swallowing difficulties, fluency, and working with children. Developing an area of expertise can boost a speech pathologist’s earning potential, as can getting a doctorate.
Occupational Employment And Wage Statistics
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
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Slp Average Salary In Massachusetts
Speech therapists in Massachusetts have higher earning potential than most SLPs in the country. The average speech-language pathologist salary in Massachusetts is $86,050, which is roughly 6.5 percent greater than the national median wage of $80,475. Massachusetts SLPs can make $50,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on their field and the level of experience they have.
What Are The Steps To Become A Speech Pathologist
To become a speech pathologist, learners must graduate from accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. Most programs include a graduate-level internship or fellowship.
After graduation, qualified candidates obtain a license based on state requirements. Many professionals pursue the speech-language pathology certificate of clinical competence .
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Earning Potential By Industry
Another benefit of pursuing an SLP career is the diversity of the field. Speech-language pathologists can find employment in various industries, some of which pay more than others.
Based on annual mean wage, the top five industries for SLPs are:7
- Management of companies and enterprises
- Home health care services
- Individual and family services
- Nursing care facilities
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities
The takeaway here is that, with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, you can decide where your SLP career will take you. Whether you want to work in a school, clinical, or corporate setting, you have plenty of opportunities.
What Is Speech Pathology
Speech pathology is a field of expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of various speech impediments, swallowing difficulties, and a broad range of physical and social communication barriers.
This field aims to help children and adults improve their overall ability to speak and communicate.
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Does It Matter What Bachelor’s Degree I Choose
Yes. If you know you want to become a speech-language pathologist, you should earn a bachelorâs degree in communication sciences disorders . Many graduate programs require this major, and you may have to take additional coursework if your degree is in an unrelated field. Choosing the appropriate bachelorâs degree program can also be beneficial when you start looking to earn a masterâs degree in this field. â
Speech And Language Pathologistsalary
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.
| Percentile | |
| 10th Percentile Speech and Language Pathologist Salary | $73,956 |
| 25th Percentile Speech and Language Pathologist Salary | $80,566 |
| 50th Percentile Speech and Language Pathologist Salary | $87,827 |
| 75th Percentile Speech and Language Pathologist Salary | $95,377 |
| 90th Percentile Speech and Language Pathologist Salary | $102,252 |
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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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