Life As a 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: What Do They Do?
- Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
- Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
- Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.
- 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.
- Conduct or direct research on speech or hearing topics and report findings for use in developing procedures, technologies, or treatments.
- 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.
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Speech-Language Pathologist Needed Skills
These are the skills Speech-Language Pathologists say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Speech-Language Pathologist Jobs
- Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
- Speech Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Speech Correction Consultant
- Speech and Language Clinician
Is There Job Demand for Speech-Language Pathologists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 145,100 jobs in the United States for Speech-Language Pathologist. 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. There will be an estimated 10,400 positions for Speech-Language Pathologist per 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.
Do Speech-Language Pathologists Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Speech-Language Pathologists ranges between about $48,690 and $120,060 a year.
Speech-Language Pathologists who work in District of Columbia, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Speech-Language Pathologists 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Speech-Language Pathologists
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
- Apple Logic Pro
- Language analysis software
- Signal analysis software
- Speech analysis software
- Biofeedback software
- Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor
- ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources
- KayPENTAX Multi-Speech
- Learning Fundamentals Speech Visualization
- Propeller Multimedia React2
Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist
Individuals working as a Speech-Language Pathologist have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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