The Average Salary of a Pediatric Speech Pathologist
Speech pathologists, also known as speech language pathologists (SLPs) or speech therapists, work with people to improve their vocal communication, pronunciation, eating and swallowing abilities. Treatment methods may include physical therapy, vocal exercises and alternative communication strategy. Some work exclusively with children and are called pediatric speech pathologists.
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Identification
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Pediatric speech pathologists work with children who have trouble with speech and swallowing due to injury, genetics or illness. Children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, stuttering, deafness and autism need help with learning how to communicate clearly and effectively. Some pediatric speech pathologists work in hospitals or clinics, while others work on an outpatient basis or perform home visits. Pediatric speech pathologists also work as consultants and permanent employees of public and private schools.
Salary
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The average pediatric speech pathologist earned an average of $65,000 per year in January 2011, according to job posting site Indeed.com. This is in line with the average annual salary of $62,930 for all speech language pathologists reported for May 2009 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Forbes Magazine, in a 2009 article entitled "Where the Jobs Are," reported that, while the overall field is suffering from a shortage of qualified workers, pediatric speech pathology has experienced the most significant growth.
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Variations
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Salaries vary for pediatric speech pathologists throughout the country. The specialty staffing company PediaStaff posted a January 2011 position in Sikeston, Missouri, paying from $34,000 to $48,000, while EducationJobsite had an October 2010 listing in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that offered a salary of $48,000 to $60,000 per year. Many pediatric speech pathologists are paid hourly on a full- or part-time basis, with the average hourly earnings on PediaStaff's January 2011 job postings coming in between $35 to $55 per hour.
Education/Qualifications
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The standard educational requirement for pediatric speech pathologists is a master's degree in speech language pathology or related field. Speech pathologists must also hold a valid license in the state where they practice. Many speech pathologists also complete a year of clinical fellowship to qualify for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
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References
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