What You Need to Know About Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologist Example 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.
Life As a Speech-Language Pathologist
- Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
- 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.
- Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
- Provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited English proficiency.
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Things a Speech-Language Pathologist Should Know How to Do
When polled, Speech-Language Pathologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Language Pathologist
- Educational Speech-Language Clinician
- Oral Therapist
- Communication Specialist
- Speech and Language Specialist
Are There Job Opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists?
There were about 145,100 jobs for Speech-Language Pathologist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 17.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,900 new jobs for Speech-Language Pathologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 10,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Speech-Language Pathologist are Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Rhode Island, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Speech-Language Pathologist Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Speech-Language Pathologist ranges between $48,690 and $120,060.

Speech-Language Pathologists who work in District of Columbia, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Speech-Language Pathologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $71,240 |
Alaska | $83,620 |
Arizona | $74,710 |
Arkansas | $73,660 |
California | $93,510 |
Colorado | $90,980 |
Connecticut | $92,280 |
Delaware | $81,440 |
District of Columbia | $93,570 |
Florida | $76,820 |
Georgia | $77,730 |
Hawaii | $76,330 |
Idaho | $74,740 |
Illinois | $77,120 |
Indiana | $73,780 |
Iowa | $76,020 |
Kansas | $70,280 |
Kentucky | $72,440 |
Louisiana | $71,270 |
Maine | $65,540 |
Maryland | $84,960 |
Massachusetts | $85,720 |
Michigan | $78,220 |
Minnesota | $75,590 |
Mississippi | $64,560 |
Missouri | $77,790 |
Montana | $64,580 |
Nebraska | $69,110 |
Nevada | $77,620 |
New Hampshire | $73,630 |
New Jersey | $95,000 |
New Mexico | $74,800 |
New York | $90,820 |
North Carolina | $75,310 |
North Dakota | $67,340 |
Ohio | $78,200 |
Oklahoma | $81,700 |
Oregon | $87,610 |
Pennsylvania | $79,530 |
Rhode Island | $80,450 |
South Carolina | $71,600 |
South Dakota | $58,860 |
Tennessee | $77,140 |
Texas | $75,800 |
Utah | $78,840 |
Vermont | $73,550 |
Virginia | $86,090 |
Washington | $73,220 |
West Virginia | $61,070 |
Wisconsin | $70,560 |
Wyoming | $80,470 |
What Tools do Speech-Language Pathologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Speech-Language Pathologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
- Text to speech software
- Language analysis software
- Signal analysis software
- Apple Logic Pro
- Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor
- ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources
- KayPENTAX Multi-Speech
- Learning Fundamentals Speech Visualization
- Propeller Multimedia React2
- Biofeedback software
- Speech analysis software
How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist
Are there Speech-Language Pathologists education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Where Speech-Language Pathologists Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Speech-Language Pathologist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Ghozt Tramp via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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