Speech-Language Pathologist is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, projected to grow +15.0% through 2034. Median pay sits at $97,870 nationally, a strong return for the training investment.
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.
Also known as:
Speech-Language Pathologist earn $97,870 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,730 and $114,570. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Well above average for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Speech-Language Pathologist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
The BLS projects +15.0% employment change for Speech-Language Pathologist through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 13,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Much faster than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Speech-Language Pathologist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $97,870 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 18,600 | $89,450 | -8.6% |
| 2 | New York | 16,250 | $108,870 | +11.2% |
| 3 | California | 14,680 | $116,000 | +18.5% |
| 4 | Illinois | 9,100 | $82,480 | -15.7% |
| 5 | Florida | 8,990 | $97,150 | -0.7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Speech-Language Pathologist positions require a master's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication Disorders Sciences and | 23,288 | $58,928 | 395 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 2 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 3 | University of Florida-Online Gainesville, FL | 90 | $4,815 | $71,588 |
| 4 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | 90 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 6 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
Once you've sized up Speech-Language Pathologist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Speech-Language Pathologist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Strong earnings and growing demand make Speech-Language Pathologist a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
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