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Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists


Overview

Introduction

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists help people who have speech and hearing disorders. They identify the problem and use tests to further evaluate it. Speech-language pathologists, who are also called speech therapists, try to improve the speech and language skills of clients with communications disorders. Audiologists perform tests to measure the hearing ability of clients, who may range in age from the very young to the very old. Since it is not uncommon for clients to require assistance for both speech...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$79,120

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

Master's Degree
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Experience

Clinical fieldwork or practicum required


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Skills

Public Speaking
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Personality Traits

Helpful
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Earnings

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that in May 2019 speech-language pathologists earned a median annual salary of $79,120. Salaries ranged from to less than $49,840 to more than $121,260. Audiologists earned a median annual salary of $77,600. The lowest paid 10 percent of these workers earned less than $54,010, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $120,750 or more per year. Geographic loc...

Work Environment

Most speech-language pathologists and audiologists work 40 hours a week at a desk or table in clean comfortable surroundings. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists who focus on research, however, may work longer hours. The job is not physically demanding but does require attention to detail and intense concentration. The emotional needs of clients and their families may be demanding.

Outlook

Population growth, lengthening life spans, growing awareness of speech-language disorders (such as stuttering) in young children, and increased public awareness of the problems associated with communicative disorders indicate a highly favorable employment outlook for well-qualified personnel. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for speech-language pathologists will grow much f...