EIU Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST (SLP)

(means same as SPEECH THERAPIST) 

 Speech-langauge pathologists work with children with speech sound errors, spoken language delays, autism, reading difficulties, augmentative communication, stuttering,  feeding and swallowing difficulties, and hearing impairments.  They work with adults who have aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, cognitive and executive function disorders, swallowing difficulties, stuttering, voice disorders, and hearing impairments.   Many clients have had strokes, traumatic brain injury, head & neck cancer, neurological conditions that affect speech motor system such as Parkinsons, ALS, etc.  

SLP job opportunities are growing 27% between 2018 and 2028 (Bureau Labor Statistics), much faster than average compared to other occupations.  Graduates in speech pathology or audiology have 100%  employment, often with multiple job offers.

TOP 5 REASONS TO BE A SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

1) LOVE GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY to HELP people and make a difference in their lives. 

2) Flexibility – choose a job that’s part-time, full-time, 9 months, 12 months.  Choose one main job, add PRN hourly if you want.

3) Never get burned out- if you are tired of one setting/population or age group, CHANGE jobs.   Jobs are available and will be in the future with growth anticipated.  Opportunities in administration.

4) Often part of a TEAM in health care or school setting, but usually have a lot of autonomy   and independence too.

5) Good salary or hourly rates 

  2019 Bureau Labor Median Salary= $79,120;  Hourly rates rather than salary & benefits in schools    and medical setting reported $50-55 ASHA Surveys Schools 2020 & Healthcare 2019) 

EDUCATION - Undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders & Sciences/Speech & Hearing Science or required undergraduate coursework then Master's degree in CDS/Speech Pathology.

Approximately 40% of Speech-Language Pathologists work in some type of health care setting

 Includes - Hospitals, residential health care settings, out-patient clinics,  home health care 

Salary in 12 month Medical or Clinic Setting (ASHA 2019 Health Care Survey)

• Median salary with 1-3 years’ experience was $66,000
• Median salary with 19 + years’ experience was $83,000-$100,000
• Median salary clinical service provider $74,000, for admin/supervisors $100,000

 See video to the right about an SLP in a Hospital Setting 

 Approximately 50% of Speech-Language Pathologists work in a school setting

 Includes - preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools

Salary in 9-10 Month School Setting      (ASHA Schools Survey 2020)

• Median salary with 1-5 years’ experience was $56,000
• Median salary with 10-20 years’ experience was $70,000  
• Higher median salaries in urban compared to rural settings ($70,000 vs $60,000)

 See video to the right about an SLP in a High School setting

Approximately 10% of Speech-Language Pathologists work in Early Intervention (Birth-3 population), universities, or other settings.

 See video to the right about an SLP who is working in a Private Practice setting with Early Intervention.

AUDIOLOGIST 

›Audiologists work with patients of all ages from newborns to elderly who present with hearing and balance disorders

   › They evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of hearing and inner ear balance problems

   ›They supervise & conduct new-born hearing screenings

   ›They assess the candidacy of persons with hearing loss for hearing aids and cochlear implants and provide fitting, programming, and audiologic rehabilitation to ensure the best possible outcomes. 

   ›They counsel and educate teachers, older adults, children and their families about hearing loss  

2019 US Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports

Median Salary for Audiologists was $77,600

EDUCATION - Undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders & Sciences/Speech & Hearing Science or required undergraduate coursework.  Then clinical doctoral degree in Audiology (Au.D.).

 Many Audiologists work in Hospital Settings with adults and children. 

 See video to the right about an Audiologist working in a Children's Hospital Setting 

 Some Audiologists work in K-12 School Settings or other schools/settings for children with special needs

 See video to the right about an Audiologist in a school setting

Many Audiologists work in clinics, doctor's offices, or private practice.

 See video to the right about an Audiologist who is working in a Private Practice setting.

2.7 million veterans have service-related hearing loss.

Audiologists work in the military, government agencies, industry, and universities.

See video to the right about an Audiologist in the  Military and University settings.