Speech-Language Pathologists Career, Salary and Skills
Speech-Language Pathologists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $97,870 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 183,390. Wage data is published for 422 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
29-1127.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Master's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$97,870
Hourly median
$47.05
Employment
183,390
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.12 | 5.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.12 | 4.25 |
| Active Listening | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Monitoring | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | 3.88 | 4.25 |
| Instructing | 3.88 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
- Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
Technology
- Web browser software
- Adobe Audition
- Apple Logic Pro
- Avaaz Innovations AphasiaMate
- Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE
- Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System IVANS
- Biofeedback software
- Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor
- Dropbox
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources
- Email software
- KayPENTAX Multi-Speech
- KayPENTAX Nasometer
Speech-Language Pathologists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in TXMedian $99,910 · Employment 19,120
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in CAMedian $118,970 · Employment 16,930
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in NYMedian $100,610 · Employment 15,310
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in New York, NYMedian $107,860 · Employment 15,260
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in FLMedian $99,990 · Employment 10,080
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in ILMedian $95,080 · Employment 9,040
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in OHMedian $93,300 · Employment 7,270
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $98,490 · Employment 7,150
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in NJMedian $101,560 · Employment 6,840
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in PAMedian $92,960 · Employment 6,570
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in NCMedian $86,460 · Employment 5,600
- Speech-Language Pathologists Salary in MAMedian $101,310 · Employment 5,290
Related careers
- Clinical NeuropsychologistsNational median $110,840
- Nurse PractitionersNational median $132,300
- Family Medicine PhysiciansNational median $244,180
- Mental Health CounselorsNational median not published
- Marriage and Family TherapistsNational median $66,940
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersNational median $60,280
- PsychiatristsNational median $281,870
- Clinical Nurse SpecialistsNational median $97,550
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.