The Yearly Salary of Speech Language Pathologists

Speech language pathologists improve the speaking abilities of children.

Speech language pathologists diagnose and treat disorders related to speech, language, voice, swallowing and fluency. Their patients range from those who cannot produce speech clearly to those wishing to improve speech communication skills. Most jobs require a master's degree. As of 2010, 47 states also mandate a license, which requires passing a national exam.

Salaries

The 111,640 speech language pathologists working in the U.S. make a median $31.29 per hour or $65,090 per year. However, their salaries fall as low as $20.34 or $42,310 and rise as high as $48.95 or $101,820. This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2009.

Industries

Medical and diagnostic laboratories, where the professional can meet patients and use on-site devices and procedures for treatments, pay the highest salaries for speech language pathologists. Mean pay here is $62.81 per hour or $130,640 per year. Elementary and secondary schools offer the most employment opportunities, with 57,620 positions. However, pay is only $30.22 or $62,860, which is less than half that of the high-paying labs.

Locations and Pay

Salaries vary by the states and cities in which jobs are performed. The states with the highest-paying jobs are Nevada, with incomes of $46.23 per hour or $96,160 per year, and Alaska, at $39.06 or $81,250. For cities, the highest wages are found in Las Vegas, with pay at $53.57 or $111,430, and Fresno, California, at $46.95 or $97,650. However, job opportunities at these locations are relatively scarce. Nevada and Alaska show employment at a combined 0.9 positions per 1,000 workers, while the cities provide only 0.65 jobs.

Locations and Employment

Speech language pathologists have better opportunities in West Virginia, with 1.4 jobs per 1,000 and pay at $23.73 or $49,270, and New Mexico at 1.3 jobs and pay at $32.27 or $67,110. For cities, the highest concentration of jobs is in Weirton, West Virginia, with 2.7 jobs per 1,000 and pay at $23.86 or $49,620. Second for job concentration is Charleston, West Virginia, with positions at 2.3 and income at $22.57 or $46,940.

Prospects

The BLS sees employment of speech language pathologists growing by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, primarily because of an aging population. The elderly experience a greater possibility of speech-related disorders. The increase in school enrollments and special education programs will also drive job growth. Those professionals with the ability to speak a second language like Spanish will find the best job prospects.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Speech Language Pathologists Description
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Speech Language Pathologists Wages