How much do speech pathologists make?
The median speech language pathologist salary was $89,290 in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This equates to around $42.93 an hour for these critical allied health professionals.
Speech pathologist salary does vary, with the highest 10% of earners making more than $129,930 in 2023 and the bottom 10% making less than $57,910.
It’s important to note, however, that these speech language pathologist salary figures are aggregates of all speech language pathologists, so those who take travel speech language pathologist jobs could make more than the median wage.
Which states/territories offer the highest speech pathologist salary?
The five states/territories that offer the highest speech pathologist salary are:
- California — $112,030 annual mean wage
- District of Columbia — $111,110 annual mean wage
- Colorado — $107,780 annual mean wage
- Hawaii — $106,790 annual mean wage
- New Jersey — $102,820 annual mean wage
Speech Language Pathologist Jobs in 2025 and Beyond
Speech pathologist jobs are showing no sign of slowing down in the next decade or so. Employment of speech language pathologists is projected to grow 18% between 2023 and 2033, according to the BLS. That’s more than four times the rate of all other occupations in the United States.
That equates to about 13,700 new openings for speech pathologists each year over that time period, meaning there are going to be plenty of opportunities for those looking for work. In total, employment of speech language pathologists is projected to grow by 33,300 clinicians over that ten year span.
Which states have the most speech pathologist jobs?
The five states with the highest employment of speech pathologists, according to the BLS, are:
- Texas
- California
- New York
- Illinois
- Florida
What does a speech pathologist do?
A speech pathologist is an allied health professional who works to “prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults,” according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
These crucial clinicians work in a multitude of settings, such as hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, clinics, and even in corporate settings. According to ASHA, more than half of speech pathologists (56%) work in educational settings such as public schools and colleges.
Around 39% of speech language pathologist jobs are in healthcare settings, with 13% working in hospitals.
How to Become a Speech Pathologist
To become a speech language pathologist, you first need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as speech language pathology and audiology; education; psychology, or linguistics.
After that, you must complete a master’s degree program in speech language pathology from an accredited institution. After you graduate, and to become licensed in most states, you must pass the Praxis 2 Examination in Speech-Language Pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
You need to complete a post-graduate clinical fellowship—a requirement for state licensure—but this can be done before you take the Praxis exam if you’d prefer.
Once you’ve checked all those boxes, you can finally apply for state licensure and ASHA certification. After you’ve done that, you’re ready to begin taking on speech language pathologist jobs.
Why become a travel speech language pathologist?
One of the most compelling reasons to consider a travel speech language pathology position in 2024 is the thriving temporary allied health staffing market—which saw an impressive 8% growth in 2023, as reported by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA).
Choosing to become a travel speech language pathologist with Barton Healthcare Staffing offers several significant benefits compared to permanent positions, including:
- Enhanced earning potential
- Greater flexibility in scheduling
- Chances to work in various locations throughout the country
- Experience with diverse clinical settings and patient populations
- Assistance with licensing and credentialing requirements
- Support in organizing travel arrangements and accommodations
Find Travel Speech Language Pathologist Jobs with BHS
Interested in taking on the travel healthcare lifestyle? Check out our job board for our open travel speech pathologist jobs and apply today!