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Speech-Language Pathologist

What They Do:
Work with patients to identify, diagnose, treat and help prevent disorders related to speech, language, voice, swallowing, and fluency.  Speech pathologists develop specialized care plans for patients brain injuries, various disorders, disabilities, and many more to help them make sounds, improve their voices, and communicate more effectively. 

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree from one of over 300 programs accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation
  • National examination on speech-language pathology
  • Supervised clinical experience (usually a minimum of 400 hours)
  • The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)

 

What They Make:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2019 median income was $79,120 per year.

 

Where They Work:

  • Hospitals

  • Schools

  • Nursing care facilities

  • Home healthcare services

  • Outpatient care services

  • Child day care centers
      

Outlook:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 24% increase between 2019-2029. 

Sources:

http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/speech-language-pathologist

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Speech-Language Pathologists,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm 

Updated February 2021