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Career overview · SOC 29-1127

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.

Also called: Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP) · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Pediatric SLP) · Speech and Language Clinician · Speech and Language Specialist · Speech and Language Teacher · Speech and Language Therapist

Median pay (national)
$95,410
$60,480–$132,850 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
178,790
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+15%
~13,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for speech-language pathologists shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $132,850 versus $60,480 at the bottom 10% — 2.2x. The median of $95,410 leaves roughly 39% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +15% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 13,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $116,000, +22% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $49,850 — a 133% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Learning Strategies
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Science
  • Mathematics

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
  • Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
  • 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.
  • Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
  • Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.
  • 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.
  • Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
  • Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.

Tools & technology

  • eClinicalWorks EHR software
  • Adobe Audition
  • Apple Logic Pro
  • Avaaz Innovations AphasiaMate
  • Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE
  • Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System IVANS
  • Biofeedback software
  • Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor
  • Dropbox
  • ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources
  • KayPENTAX Multi-Speech
  • KayPENTAX Nasometer
  • Language analysis software
  • Learning Fundamentals Speech Visualization
  • Micro Video Voice Speech Training System
  • Propeller Multimedia React2

Knowledge areas

  • English Language
  • Education and Training
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Psychology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Administrative
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Medicine and Dentistry