CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Speech pathologists diagnose and treat communication, language and swallowing disorders in infants, children and adults.
Career Level
Similar Jobs
Consider these careers as well:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
Salary
National average, per year
$76,610
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
13,971
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Speech Pathologist
Speech pathologists assess and diagnose speech, language and swallowing disorders. They develop individualized treatment plans to help patients develop and improve their weaknesses. More than half are employed in educational settings and close to 40% in healthcare settings. Obtaining voluntary certification can allow specialization in an area of interest.
A speech pathologist is an advanced-level career that requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. This career offers great pay, excellent job security and an opportunity to positively impact a patient’s life.
Speech Pathologist Job Responsibilities
Speech pathologists may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Assess and diagnose speech, language and swallowing disorders
- Develop individualized treatment plans
- Help patients improve speech and fluency
- Work with patients to improve oral and written language
- Help patients with swallowing difficulties to develop and strengthen their muscles and learn proper swallowing techniques
- Conduct specialized testing
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and teachers
- Keep detailed patient records
- Educate patients and their families
Speech Pathologist Salary
The actual salary of the speech pathologist can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $76,610*
National average per hour: $36.83*
- $93,995 per year, $45.19 per hour**
- $79,997 per year, $38.46 per hour***
- $73,480 to $87,156 per year****
- $66,137 per year, $31.80 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Speech Pathologist Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a speech pathologist? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Job stability
- Good salary
- Variety of job settings
- Flexible work schedule
- Ability to develop meaningful relationships and make a difference in a patient’s life
- Strong career growth
Cons
- Long educational path
- May have to work evenings, weekends and holidays
- Not a lot of career advancement opportunities
- A lot of charting and paperwork
- Can often have large caseloads
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Speech Pathologist?
If you are considering a career as an occupational therapist, here are the steps you will need to complete.
- Earn your high school diploma/GED.
- Earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
- Complete a supervised postgraduate clinical fellowship to gain valuable clinical work experience. The fellowships usually last 36 weeks. This is typically a requirement in order to obtain state licensure or registration.
- Get licensed or registered in your state. This typically involves passing the Praxis exam. Contact your state’s medical or health licensure board for specific requirements.
Suggested Career Path
The position of the speech pathologist is at the end of the medical career pathway and can be preceded by entry-level or mid-level jobs. A sample career path could look like this:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) > Registered Nurse (RN) >Speech Pathologist
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma/GED
- Master’s degree in speech-language pathology
Typical Work Experience Required
Experience typically gained through supervised postgraduate clinical fellowship.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by location.
- Exceptional communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Caring and compassionate personality
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Strong desire to help others
- Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines such as physical and occupational therapy
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Patience
Speech Pathologist Certifications
Certification is voluntary but is highly recommended. These are the certifications that are available through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (ABCLLD), the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders (ABFFD) and the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (ABSSD):
Speech Pathologist Licenses
Most states require licensure or registration. Contact your state’s medical or health licensure board for specific state requirements.
Speech Pathologist Training and Preparation
After you have completed the speech-language pathology program and earned your master’s degree, you typically need to complete a supervised postgraduate clinical fellowship. This allows you to gain practical, hands-on clinical work experience. Completion of a fellowship is typically a requirement for state licensure or registration.
Once you have completed your fellowship, you most likely will need to pass the Praxis exam in order to become licensed or registered in your state. Visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) website to learn more.
Although certification is voluntary, becoming certified can take your career to the next level. Employers often prefer to hire employees who hold one or more certification, as a certification reflects their expertise and advanced skill. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (ABCLLD), the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders (ABFFD) and the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (ABSSD) all offer certifications.
Preparing for the certification exams can be done in many ways. Flashcards and exam prep books are great tools to help you organize and prepare. The ASHA, ABCLLD, ABFFD and ABSSD websites have online practice tests, sample questions and other test review materials available. A little self-confidence and some strategic studying and preparation can help ensure your success.
Was this article helpful?
@Raising Careers Inbox
Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you a summary of everything new on Raising Careers once a week.