The Average Salary of a Texas Speech Pathologist

A speech pathologist helps individuals with diseases, illnesses and other issues related to the ability to speak. Work includes assessing each patient's speech-related disorders and administering treatment plans to improve or regain the ability to speak or use alternative ways to communicate. The Texas Department of State Health Services oversees this occupation and has specific requirements for licensing.

Qualifications

In Texas, licensing to practice professionally as a speech pathologist requires at least a master's degree from an accredited educational institution with a major in communicative sciences or a related discipline. Coursework includes anatomy, principles of language and acoustics, and the psychology related to communication. Graduate classes typically include advanced clinical training. Along with education, these professionals must complete an accredited internship and pass an exam administered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Salary in Texas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10,040 speech pathologists were employed in Texas in May 2009. Annual median wages were $60,360. The 25th percentile earned annual median wages of $50,580, while the 75th percentile earned annual median wages of $73,760.

National Comparison

Approximately 111,640 speech pathologists were employed in the United States in May 2009 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationally, median annual wages were $65,090. The 25th percentile earned $52,030 per year and the 75th percentile earned $82,380 per year. The highest concentration of speech pathologists in the United States was in elementary and secondary schools, earning annual median wages of $62,860.

Texas Metropolitan Areas

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites El Paso, Texas, as the fourth largest metropolitan division with the highest concentration of speech pathologists in the United States. Mean annual wages were $79,990 in El Paso. In Dallas, annual median wages were $60,740. In Lubbock, annual median wages were $52,210, and in the McAllen/Edinburg/Mission, Texas, metropolitan division, annual median wages were $62,240.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Speech-Language Pathologists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Speech-Language Pathologists Occupational Wages, May 2009
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Board of Examiners for Speech-Laugage Pathology and Audiology
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Board of Examiners for Speech-Laugage Pathology and Audiology Licensing Requirements