Main Navigation
Main Content
Employment Opportunities
Speech-Language pathologists often enjoy the following aspects of their work:
- Employment has been very strong for many years and the outlook remains strong
- Salaries and benefits are typically quite good
- Flexibility in the types of agencies in which they work
- Flexibility in the types of clients (ages and disorder areas) with whom they work
- Both are helping professions
Speech-language pathologists can work with individuals who have various types of communication impairments, in a wide variety of work sites. Here is a matrix that shows some of the more common situations:
List of Common Sites that SIU Students work.
| People with... | Schools | Hospitals | Rehabilitation Centers | Nursing Homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Developmental speech impairments |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Acquired speech impairments |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Developmental language impairments |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Acquired language impairments |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Voice impairments |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Stuttering |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Swallowing disorders |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cognitive-communication impairments |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Salaries Typical For Speech-Language Pathologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median national salary for speech-language pathologists in 2020 was approximately $80,000 annually or $38.69 hourly. Speech-language pathology was described as demonstrating much faster than average growth with more than 40,000 jobs predicted to be added over the next 10 years. Speech-Language Pathologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Audiologists
Audiologists identify, assess, prevent, and manage disorders related to hearing and balance.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median national salary for audiologists in 2020 was approximately $81,000 annually or $38.95 hourly. Audiology was described as demonstrating much faster than average growth with an more than 1,800 jobs predicted to be added over the next 10 years. Audiologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Additional practice settings
universities, research agencies, government agencies, corporations/ businesses, correctional institutions, home health agencies, group homes and sheltered workshops, and private practice. There is no limit in terms of ages of persons with whom speech-language pathologists provide professional services.