### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Speech-Language Pathologists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			speech language pathologists imageSpeech-language pathologists working in schools may meet regularly with individual students or groups of students.							
						Quick Facts:     Speech-Language Pathologists2023     Median Pay
            						$89,290     per year
										$42.93     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Master's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Internship/residencyNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    171,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    19% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    33,100What Speech-Language Pathologists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Speech-language pathologists assess and treat people who have communication disorders.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Some speech-language pathologists work in schools. Others work in private practice or in hospitals or nursing and residential care facilities. Most speech-language pathologists are full time, but part-time work is common.
            
                                                How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist
                                                
                        
Speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. All states require that speech-language pathologists be licensed. Licensure requirements vary by state but typically include clinical experience and passing an exam.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for speech-language pathologists was $89,290 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow							 19 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 13,200 openings for speech-language pathologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for speech-language pathologists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of speech-language pathologists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about speech-language pathologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Speech-Language Pathologists Do 
            

			Speech-language pathologistsSpeech-language pathologists must be able to listen to and communicate with clients in order to determine the right course of treatment.			
Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called *speech therapists*) assess and treat people who have speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. They also treat clients who have problems swallowing.
Duties
Speech-language pathologists typically do the following:
Evaluate levels of speech, language, or swallowing difficulty
Identify clients' goals for treatment
Create and carry out an individualized treatment plan that addresses specific functional needs
Teach clients how to make sounds, improve their voices, and maintain fluency
Help clients improve vocabulary and sentence structure
Work with clients to develop and strengthen the muscles used to swallow
Counsel clients and their families on how to cope with communication and swallowing disorders
Speech-language pathologists work with clients who have speech and language problems, including related cognitive or social communication problems. Clients may have difficulty speaking, such as being unable to speak or speaking too loudly or softly. They also may have problems with rhythm and fluency, such as stuttering. Speech-language pathologists also work with clients who have problems understanding language.
Speech-language pathologists may select alternative communication systems and instruct clients in their use. They also must record their evaluations and assessments, track treatment progress, and note any changes in a client's condition or treatment plan.
Some speech-language pathologists specialize in working with specific age groups, such as children or older adults. Others focus on treatment programs for specific communication or swallowing problems that result from developmental delays or from medical causes, such as a stroke or a cleft palate. Still others research topics related to speech and language issues.
Speech-language pathologists work with physicians and surgeons, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, and other healthcare workers. In schools, they evaluate students for speech and language disorders and work with teachers, other school personnel, and parents to develop and carry out individual or group programs, provide counseling, and support classroom activities. For more information on teachers, see the profiles on preschool teachers, kindergarten and elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers, and special education teachers.
 Work Environment
			Speech-language pathologistsMost speech-language pathologists work in schools or healthcare facilities.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Speech-language pathologists held about 171,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of speech-language pathologists were as follows:
        Educational services; state, local, and private
                42%Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists
                25Hospitals; state, local, and private
                14Nursing and residential care facilities
                4Self-employed workers
                3Speech-language pathologists typically work as part of a team. Some travel between different schools or facilities.
Work Schedules
Most speech-language pathologists are full time, but part-time work is common. Those working for schools may have a 2-month break during the summer and a shorter midwinter break.
 How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

			Speech-language pathologistsSome speech-language pathologists specialize in working with specific age groups, such as children.			
Speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. All states require that speech-language pathologists be licensed. Requirements for licensure vary by state.
Education
Speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology. These programs usually take 2 years of postbaccalaureate study. Although master's degree programs may not require a particular bachelor's degree for admission, they frequently require applicants to have completed coursework in biology, social science, or certain healthcare and related fields. Requirements vary by program.
Graduate programs often include courses in speech and language development, age-specific speech disorders, alternative and augmentative communication, and swallowing disorders. These programs also include supervised clinical experience.
Graduation from an accredited program is required for certification and, often, for state licensure. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), accredits education programs in speech-language pathology.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed. Licensure typically requires at least a master’s degree from an accredited program, supervised clinical experience gained both during and after completing the program, and passing an exam. For specific requirements, contact your state’s medical or health licensure board.
Speech-language pathologists may earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) 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 that lasts several months and is supervised by a certified speech-language pathologist. To maintain the CCC-SLP credential, speech-language pathologists must complete a specified number of hours of continuing education.
Speech-language pathologists who work in schools may need a teaching certification. For specific requirements, contact your state’s department of education or the school district or private institution in which you are interested.
Speech language pathologists may choose to earn specialty certifications in child language, fluency, or swallowing. Candidates who hold the CCC-SLP, meet work experience requirements, complete continuing education hours, and pass a specialty certification exam may use the title Board Certified Specialist. Three organizations offer specialty certifications: American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders, American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders, and American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.
Some employers prefer to hire candidates with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS) certification.
Training
Candidates may gain hands-on experience through supervised clinical work, which is typically referred to as a fellowship. Prospective speech-language pathologists train under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist to refine their skills after the completion of the graduate degree.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.***Speech-language pathologists must select appropriate diagnostic tools and evaluate results to identify goals and develop a treatment plan.
***Communication skills.*** Speech-language pathologists need to explain test results, diagnoses, and proposed treatments in a way that individuals and their families can understand. They also must be clear and concise in written reports.
***Compassion.*** Speech-language pathologists may work with people who are frustrated by their communication difficulties. They must understand and be supportive of these clients and their families.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Speech-language pathologists must be deliberate in making assessments to create treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
***Detail oriented.*** Speech-language pathologists must comprehensive notes on clients' progress to ensure that they continue receiving proper treatment.
***Listening skills.*** Speech-language pathologists must pay attention to hear the clients' communication difficulties and determine a course of action.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Speech-Language PathologistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners$98,760  Speech-language pathologists$89,290  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for speech-language pathologists was $89,290 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $129,930.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for speech-language pathologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Nursing and residential care facilities
                $105,030Hospitals; state, local, and private
                100,130Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists
                94,990Educational services; state, local, and private
                79,960Most speech-language pathologists are full time, but part-time work is common. Those working for schools may have a 2-month break during the summer and a shorter midwinter break.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Speech-Language PathologistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Speech-language pathologists19%  Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners9%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow				 19 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 13,200 openings for speech-language pathologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
As the large baby-boom population grows older, there will be more instances of health conditions such as strokes or dementia, which can cause speech or language impairments. Speech-language pathologists will be needed to treat the increased number of speech and language disorders in the older population.
Increased awareness of speech and language disorders, such as stuttering, in younger children should lead to a need for more speech-language pathologists who specialize in treating that age group. Also, an increasing number of speech-language pathologists will be needed to work with children with autism to improve their ability to communicate and socialize effectively.
In addition, medical advances are improving the survival rate of premature infants and victims of trauma and strokes, many of whom need help from speech-language pathologists.
			

                        Employment projections data for     speech-language pathologists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Speech-language pathologists**
			29-1127
			171,400
			204,500
			19
			33,100
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 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(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Speech-language pathologists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of speech-language pathologists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Audiologists**
            Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat patients who have hearing, balance, or related problems.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $87,740**Occupational Therapists**
            Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.
            Master's degree
            $96,370**Physical Therapists**
            Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $99,710**Physician Assistants**
            Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.
            Master's degree
            $130,020**Psychologists**
            Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments.
            See How to Become One
            $92,740**Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners**
            Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare.
            Master's degree
            $129,480**Recreational Therapists**
            Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.
            Bachelor's degree
            $57,120**Respiratory Therapists**
            Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of a chronic condition such as asthma.
            Associate's degree
            $77,960
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about speech-language pathologists, a description of the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) credential, and a list of accredited graduate programs in speech-language pathology, visit
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
For more information about specialty certifications, visit
American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders
American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders
American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
State licensing boards have information about licensure requirements. State departments of education can provide information about certification requirements for those who want to work in public schools.
CareerOneStop
For a career video on speech-language pathologists, visit
Speech-Language Pathologists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Speech-Language Pathologists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Speech-Language Pathologists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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