Occupations · Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Speech-Language Pathologists

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 29-1127.00

$95,410median annual wage, May 2024

178,790people employed, United States

▲ 15.0%projected change, 2024→2034

13,300openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

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Pay over time

Median up 91% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$126,330	16,820
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$83,990	7,210
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$85,920	4,990
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$109,170	4,370
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	$96,570	4,110

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 5 areas with the most people in this occupation

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Typical education to enter: Master's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities.
Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension4.1

Active Listening4.1

Critical Thinking4.1

Writing4.0

Speaking4.0

Learning Strategies4.0

Active Learning3.9

Monitoring3.9

Science2.9

Mathematics2.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Word●eClinicalWorks EHR software●Adobe AuditionApple Logic ProAvaaz Innovations AphasiaMateAvaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSREAvaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System IVANSBiofeedback softwareBungalow Software Aphasia TutorDropboxELR Software eLr Extra Language ResourcesEmail softwareKayPENTAX Multi-SpeechKayPENTAX NasometerLanguage analysis softwareLearning Fundamentals Speech VisualizationMicro Video Voice Speech Training SystemPropeller Multimedia React2Signal analysis softwareSpeech analysis softwareTadpolesText to speech softwareWeb browser softwareWords+ E Z Keys for WindowsYouTube

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

5 / 5Extensive preparation — graduate school, and often a licence on top.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Disease or Infections+1.6 above average

Physical Proximity+1.4 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment−1.2 below average

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment−1.2 below average

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions−1.1 below average

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions−1.0 below average

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings−1.0 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2022-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Master's Degree89%

Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.11%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2022-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Social6.1

Investigative5.6

Conventional4.0

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Evaluate oral motor function in infants.
Supervise students or assistants.

O*NET 26.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Social Perceptiveness4.1

Complex Problem Solving3.9

Instructing3.9

Service Orientation3.8

Judgment and Decision Making3.8

Time Management3.2

Coordination3.2

Systems Evaluation3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

English LanguageEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyTherapy and CounselingAdministrative

Abilities it leans on

Oral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionSpeech ClarityWritten Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Oral TherapistSpeech TherapistSpeech ClinicianVoice PathologistSpeech PathologistLanguage PathologistSpeech-Language SpecialistSpeech and Language TeacherSpeech Language PathologistSpeech Correction ConsultantSpeech and Language ClinicianSpeech and Language TherapistSpeech and Language SpecialistPublic School Speech Therapist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 8

+Microsoft Office software+YouTube+Tadpoles+Micro Video Voice Speech Training System+Dropbox+Adobe Audition+Apple Logic Pro+eClinicalWorks EHR software

No longer listed 2

−Adobe Systems Adobe Audition−Micro Video Video Voice Speech Training System

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Oral TherapistSpeech ClinicianSpeech TherapistVoice PathologistSpeech PathologistLanguage PathologistCommunication SpecialistSpeech/Language TherapistSpeech-Language SpecialistSpeech and Language TeacherSpeech Language PathologistSpeech Correction Consultant

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
speech and language therapist	2266.2	exact

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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