The Average Speech Therapist's Salary
A speech therapist treats people with speech, language or voice disorders. Speech therapists don't always work with patients; some are employed to solely conduct research on speech and language issues. Speech therapists are also known as speech-language pathologists, according to O*Net, a website sponsored by the Department of Labor.
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National Salary
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The mean hourly wage for speech-language pathologists was $32.86 and the mean annual wage, or average salary, was $68,350, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Median annual wages for speech-language pathologists ranged from approximately $42,310 to $101,820. The lowest 10 percent of employees earned less than $42,310, and the top 10 percent of employees earned more than $101,820.
Starting Salary
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PayScale lists the starting salary of speech-language pathologists. In October 2010, speech therapists with less than one year of experience earned between $38,541 and $50,279.
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High Employment
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Elementary and secondary schools employed the largest number of speech-language pathologists, with an average salary of $62,860, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that employed large numbers were: the offices of other health practitioners, $74,810; general medical and surgical hospitals, $72,030; nursing care facilities, $80,500; and home health care services, $87,820.
Top-Paying Industries
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Medical and diagnostic laboratories paid the highest average salary above all other industries to speech-language pathologists with $130,640, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that offered high pay were: home health care services, $87,820; employment services, $84,190; nursing care facilities, $80,500; and community care facilities for the elderly, $79,130. Both nursing care facilities and home health care services are listed as industries that employed large numbers of speech-language pathologists and provided high pay.
Top-Paying States
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Nevada paid the highest average salary above all other states to speech-language pathologists with $96,160, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other states that offered high pay were: Alaska, $81,250; Maryland, $80,860; California, $80,480; and Colorado, $78,680.
Job Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, national employment for speech-language pathologists is expected to increase at a rate of 19 percent from 2008 through 2018. Many job opening will be created due to retirements. Opportunities will be favorable, especially for pathologists who are bilingual. Demand for this job will depend on the region.
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References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Speech-Language Pathologist
- University of Regina: What is the Difference between Mean and Average?
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: What are Percentile Wage?
- O*Net: Speech-Language O*Net: Speech-Language Pathologists
Resources
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