How much does a speech-language pathologist make?

The median pay is $47.05 per hour — roughly $98,000 a year, with the real range running from about $30.24/hr (10th percentile) to $64.50/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a speech-language pathologist?

The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a speech-language pathologist actually do all day?

Evaluate 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. 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. Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.

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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.

What it pays
Speech-Language Pathologists earn a median of $47.05/hr — about $98,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $30.24/hr; the top 10% earn $64.50/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Evaluate 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.
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.
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
Develop 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.
Administer 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.
Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

You're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 3.3% of speech-language pathologists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a speech-language pathologist make?: The median pay is $47.05 per hour — roughly $98,000 a year, with the real range running from about $30.24/hr (10th percentile) to $64.50/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a speech-language pathologist?: The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a speech-language pathologist actually do all day?: Evaluate 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. 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. Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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