CAREER

Speech-Language Pathologists

Overview

Salary Median (2020)

$89,290

Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)

+24.9% (much faster than the average)

Career

What Speech-Language Pathologists Do

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.

Other Job Titles Speech-Language Pathologists May Have

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP), Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Pediatric SLP), Speech and Language Clinician, Speech and Language Specialist, Speech and Language Teacher, Speech and Language Therapist, Speech Clinician, Speech Pathologist, Speech Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work

Speech Language Pathologist ,

Children's Hospital Colorado

I work at an outpatient rehabilitation center and I get to work with kids and families from a wide area and all over the disorder spectrum. I see kids ages 12 months to 18 years old who have communication challenges. This ranges anywhere from kids with speech problems all the way to children on the autistic spectrum to develop their understanding of speech. I work with kids who have experienced a stroke or a traumatic brain injury to help them develop skills to reintegrate into everyday life.


Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

  • 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.

This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.