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.
Also called: Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP), Home Health SLP (Home Health Speech Language Pathologist), Language Pathologist, Oral Therapist, Pediatric SLP (Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist), Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Pediatric SLP)
Median pay
$97,870
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$62,900 – $134,160
People employed
183,390
Holland code
SIC
Social · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 5.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 6.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 7.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 8.Do you want the same hours every week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Speech-Language Pathologists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What speech-language pathologists do
- 01Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
- 02Write 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.
- 03Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- 04Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- 05Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
- 06Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from speech-language pathologists
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- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary79% · +10%
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary77% · −18%
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary76% · −18%
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary74% · −14%
Change into speech-language pathologists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Neuropsychologists82% · $110,840
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary82% · $80,250
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists81% · $100,580
- Marriage and Family Therapists81% · $66,940
- School Psychologists81% · $95,990
Majors that lead here
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
- Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.