Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) perform a range of duties to improve their patients’ lives and wellbeing. From evaluating patients to diagnosing speech, language, and swallowing disorders to creating and implementing treatment plans and more, SLPs play a critical role in the mental health and healthcare industries.
To become an SLP, an individual must complete a graduate-level degree (such as a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology), pass a national examination, and apply for licensure in the state they wish to practice. Together, these steps serve to demonstrate their future effectiveness in the role.
Clearly, becoming an SLP is no small feat. It takes dedication and an investment of time, effort, and money to earn the degree alone. It is for this reason that speech-language pathologists are well-rewarded for their work. In addition to the satisfaction that comes from working to improve the lives of their patients every day, speech-language pathologists also enjoy competitive salaries and significant job security.
Below, we examine the average salary that speech-language pathologists can expect to earn and discuss some of the factors that can influence this salary.
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Speech-Language Pathologist Salary
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of all speech-language pathologists is approximately $80,500 per year. The highest 10 percent of professionals earn more than $122,750 per year. This figure typically correlates with those who have the most experience in the field.
However, several factors will influence your compensation as a speech-language pathologist. These factors include:
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The specific environment you work in
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How long you have worked in the field
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Where in the country you are employed
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Work Environment
The specific facility or work environment you are employed in will significantly impact your salary. Per the BLS, those who work in nursing and residential care facilities earn the highest average wages, while those working in educational facilities, such as schools, earn the lowest average wages:
- Nursing and residential care facilities:
$95,010 per year
- Hospitals:
$87,110 per year
- Private practice:
$83,250 per year
- Educational services:
$71,410 per year
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) compiled a similar report in 2019 that breaks these facilities down in more granular detail. That study reported salary by facility and work environment as follows:
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF):
$95,000 per year
- General medical:
$85,798 per year
- Home health:
$76,000 per year
- Outpatient clinic or office:
$73,500 per year
- Pediatric hospital:
$78,000 per year
- Rehab hospital:
$79,000 per year
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Experience
ASHA also found that SLPs with greater levels of experience will typically earn more than those with fewer years of experience:
- 1 to 3 years of experience:
$66,000 per year
- 4 to 6 years of experience:
$72,000 per year
- 7 to 9 years of experience:
$78,000 per year
- 10 to 12 years of experience:
$78,000 per year
- 13 to 15 years of experience:
$87,500 per year
- 16 to 18 years of experience:
$82,000 per year
- 19 to 21 years of experience:
$100,000 per year
- 22 to 24 years of experience:
$83,000 per year
- 25 to 27 years of experience:
$90,000 per year
- 28 to 30 years of experience:
No data
- 31 or more years of experience:
$95,000 per year
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Location
Finally, the specific location in which you work can impact your salary as well. According to ASHA, the region with the highest median salary for SLPs is the Western United States, while the region with the lowest average salary is the Midwest:
- West:
$85,000 per year
- South:
$79,000 per year
- Northeast:
$78,000 per year
- Midwest:
$73,520 per year
Speech-Language Pathology Job Outlook
Between 2019 and 2029, the number of speech-language pathologists is expected to grow by approximately 25 percent— a much faster growth rate than the 4 percent growth expected across all occupations in the U.S. This growth translates into an additional 40,500 open positions in the coming decade.
There are a number of trends driving this increased demand. One of the most consequential developments is the aging of the Baby Boomer population. As this significant population ages, they are increasingly experiencing medical problems such as dementia and stroke that lead to speech and swallowing conditions addressed by SLPs. Additionally, medical advances have increased the likelihood of survival for those who experience serious medical episodes (such as stroke), increasing the number of older patients in need of the services offered by speech-language pathologists.
Another critical consideration is the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the field of speech-language pathology. For example, more SLPs are needed to help treat speech and swallowing complications that have resulted from the disease in some patients. Additionally, the rapid shift toward telehealth sparked by the pandemic has made getting treatment by SLPs much more accessible for many populations (while also notably limiting access for other populations).
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 master’s 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.
Interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist? Learn more about the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northeastern University.
Median Salary$79,060Unemployment Rate1.7%Number of Jobs34,000
Speech-language pathologists evaluate, diagnose and treat people with speech, language or swallowing difficulties. They work with many types of patients, including stroke victims who are relearning to speak, babies who have trouble swallowing, people who speak with a stutter and children with language delays.
“Our field is so broad,” says Karen George, a speech-language pathologist and owner of Chicago Speech Therapy. “We’re trained to work with babies through adults – the entire life span.”
Sometimes called speech therapists, SLPs work in a variety of settings, such as rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. George started her career in a hospital before moving to her own private practice, while Theresa Rodgers, former president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, spent her career in a public school setting.
“Communication is such an essential skill in life, but certainly in a school environment,” Rodgers says. “It was so rewarding to be able to work on curriculum-based activities and see children become more successful in the classroom.”
Indeed, George says that helping someone communicate can boost their overall standard of living. “Communication is just such a key part of everyday life.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21.3% employment growth for speech-language pathologists between 2021 and 2031. In that period, an estimated 34,000 jobs should open up.
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021
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.
National estimates for Speech-Language Pathologists
Industry profile for Speech-Language Pathologists
Geographic profile for Speech-Language Pathologists
National estimates for Speech-Language Pathologists:
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Speech-Language Pathologists:
Employment (1) Employment
RSE (3) Mean hourly
wage Mean annual
wage (2) Wage RSE (3) 147,470 1.5 % $ 41.26 $ 85,820 0.5 %
Percentile wage estimates for Speech-Language Pathologists:
Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median) 75% 90% Hourly Wage $ 24.67 $ 29.79 $ 38.01 $ 48.18 $ 60.36 Annual Wage (2) $ 51,310 $ 61,970 $ 79,060 $ 100,200 $ 125,560
Industry profile for Speech-Language Pathologists:
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Speech-Language Pathologists are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Speech-Language Pathologists, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Speech-Language Pathologists:
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Speech-Language Pathologists:
Top paying industries for Speech-Language Pathologists:
Geographic profile for Speech-Language Pathologists:
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Speech-Language Pathologists are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Speech-Language Pathologists, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in Speech-Language Pathologists:
State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2) California 14,150 0.86 0.82 $ 49.35 $ 102,650 Texas 13,370 1.09 1.04 $ 39.88 $ 82,940 New York 13,150 1.52 1.45 $ 47.52 $ 98,850 Illinois 7,710 1.37 1.31 $ 39.71 $ 82,590 Florida 7,300 0.85 0.81 $ 40.56 $ 84,360
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Speech-Language Pathologists:
Top paying states for Speech-Language Pathologists:
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Speech-Language Pathologists:
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Speech-Language Pathologists:
Top paying metropolitan areas for Speech-Language Pathologists:
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Speech-Language Pathologists:
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Speech-Language Pathologists:
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Speech-Language Pathologists:
About May 2021 National, State, Metropolitan, and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate—50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a “year-round, full-time” hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OEWS estimates and related information:
May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Occupation Profiles
Technical Notes
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