Speech-language pathologists work with people of all ages from children to adults. This is one of the most rewarding careers out there. 

According to the BLS, the 2020 median pay for speech language pathologist jobs was $80,480 per year or $38.69 per hour, which is much higher than the country’s average pay making it one of the most lucrative professions out there.

The typical entry-level education, however, is higher for this field; a master’s degree is required to work as an SLP.  A more entry-level education would be to come on board as an SLPA until you have gone through the ropes of continuing education for employment change to officially become a speech therapist.

Some of the disorders experienced by children aged 3-17 (like speech-related) last for a very short time period but some can take months and years to deal with.

As a speech pathologist SLP, you will be assessing, treating, and helping children overcome swallowing and communication issues including speech and language disorders. SLPs commonly work in schools but you may also find vacancies in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

In school settings, SLP jobs include helping with aiding in foundational development that has a profound and lasting impact on their student’s lives. Here are a few tasks a speech-language pathologist is expected to perform at work:

• Monitor progress and make changes to treatment plans accordingly
• Work with others to develop reliable plans to solve problems such as speech language disorder and hearing loss
• Evaluate speech, language, or hearing test results
• Work individually or in teams to develop group or individual programs to deal with speech-language issues
• Work with clients as a language pathology expert and discuss techniques for effective communication