Speech Pathologist Salary and Career Outlook

Becoming a speech-language pathologist, or SLP for short, is an extremely wise career choice because of the earning potential, career outlook, and job stability it holds. In the 21st century, speech pathologists play an important role in diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders in patients of varying ages. Typically, speech pathologists are required to hold at least a master’s degree in the field and often have to be licensed and/or certified.

Careers in speech pathology or, as it’s commonly called, speech therapy, can take place in a variety of settings. A few of the many options include schools and educational institutions, private clinical settings, and medical facilities. More information on the various career paths for speech therapists can be found in the section below!

Speech Therapist in Schools¹

SLP professionals that work in school settings focus their attention on students of all ages who have trouble with communication, swallowing disorders, and a variety of other issues. They provide treatment options, one-on-one therapy and other means of support to students in need.

The median salary for speech therapists in schools, according to the BLS, is $80,280.

Speech Therapist in Medical Facilities¹

Speech Pathologists who work in medical facilities work with a variety of healthcare workers (physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, etc.) to provide patients with treatment options and plans for their various communication and/or swallowing disorders.

The average salary for speech therapists in hospitals, according to the BLS, is $101,560.

Speech Therapist in Private Clinics¹

Speech Therapists working in private clinics, such as a nursing home or a residential care facility, will typically address and diagnose speech and swallowing disorders and work with patients directly over time.

The average salary for speech therapists in nursing and residential care facilities, according to the BLS, is $106,500.

Self Employed Speech Therapist ¹

Although many settings require certified speech pathologists, it is also possible to be self-employed as an SLP. Many speech therapists will travel to their patients’ homes directly and work with them there- a comfortable and familiar setting. This is a great option for SLPs, and 3% of SLPs are self employed as of 2024. 

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There is expected growth of 15 percent in the field of speech pathology for professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the major factors driving the rising demand for speech professionals include: a large population of older adults from the baby boomer generation, improved knowledge and awareness of speech problems in children, and advances in medical care.

As the average growth in employment between 2024 and 2034 for all occupations is 3.1%, it bodes well for those interested or entering the field of speech pathology that the need for SLP’s is greatly outpacing this figure.

The work environment, like one’s location, can directly influence the salary potential for speech therapists. For example, the BLS reports that speech pathologists who practice in schools earn a median salary of $80,280 annually – $26,220 less per year than the average annual salary of SLPs who work in nursing and residential care facilities ($106,500).

Although it should by no means dictate the work environment you enter as a speech therapy professional, it is yet another factor to consider when narrowing down your career options within the umbrella of speech pathology. We’ve compiled information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the various fields in speech-language pathology, the employment saturation for each type, and the associated salaries.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Naturally, the location where you practice speech pathology can have a huge effect on your earning potential in the field. For example, working as an SLP in New York City typically offers a higher average salary than, say, North Dakota, due to the massive cost-of-living disparity between the two states.

The reason some states’ speech pathologists might enjoy higher salaries could be anything from a high cost of living to a large gap between the number of speech pathology positions available and the number of professionals able to fill them. Below, we’ve collected the state average salary for speech-language pathologists from the BLS (May 2024):

A large variety of factors might play a part in your decision on where to become a practicing speech pathologist. Your preferred location may be based on personal factors, such as where you grew up, where you went to school, or where your family currently resides. It also might be financially motivated, based on where you have the best earning potential and a well-balanced cost of living.

With all of this in mind, Teach has put together a few “state snapshots” featuring the top states to become a speech pathologist, based on earning potential and future career outlook. Included in the snapshots are average salaries, the projected growth rate for the career field in that state over the next 10 years, and the state’s employment levels.

Important Note: Enrolling in one of the featured programs below does not guarantee that you will earn the associated state’s average annual salary.

Explore a Featured New York Speech Pathology Program

New York University

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

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Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.

• Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure 
• Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation 
• As few as six terms to complete 
• Full-time and part-time plans of study

Request more info from New York University.

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Explore a Featured Massachusetts Speech Pathology Program

Emerson College

School of Communication

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Master of Science in Communication Disorders

Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.

• Prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist
• In-person clinical placements at faculty-approved partner sites
• As few as 20 months to complete

Request more info from Emerson College.

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¹ US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024

² US Bureau of Labor Statistics, State and Regional Data, May 2024