Speech-Language Pathologists

What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do?

Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to  prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency in people of all ages. Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot produce speech sounds or cannot produce them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering or slurred speech or other speech impairment; people with voice disorders, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; those with problems understanding and producing language; those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent; and those with cognitive communication impairments, resulting from brain injury, stroke, or attention, memory, and problem-solving disorders.

Speech-language pathologists often work with audiologists because some speech problems are a direct result of hearing problems. (See Audiologists section on this website.) For more information on speech-language pathologists, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm.

Where Do Speech-Language Pathologists Work?

In the U.S., nearly half of all speech-language pathologists work in schools; most others are employed by health care and social assistance facilities. Some speech-language pathologists also work in patients’ homes.

What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Earn?

According to the 2019 BLS, the average salary for full time speech-language pathologists nationwide was $82,000, varying by specialty and geographic region. Average annual salary also varies greatly across New York State, depending on location. The NYSDOL reports that speech-language pathologists in New York earned an average annual salary of $96,770, (entry level-$54,940, experienced- $149,470).

Supply and Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for speech-language pathologists nationwide will increase by 17.8% between 2016 and 2026, and will increase by 21.6% in New York during the same time period. The demand for speech-language pathologists will grow as an aging population may have increased difficulties with neurological disorders and associated speech, language, and swallowing impairments. Medical advances are also improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma and stroke victims, who then need assessment and sometimes treatment. Employment in educational services will increase with the growth in elementary and secondary school enrollments, including enrollment of special education students. Greater awareness of the importance of early identification and diagnosis of speech and language disorders in young children will also increase employment for speech-language pathologists.

For more information on employment projections of speech-language pathologists by New York State labor regions, 2014-2024, click here.

Educational Program Requirements

In New York, speech-language pathologists are required to have a graduate degree in speech-language pathology. Master’s level programs in speech-language pathology include coursework in basic communication processes, audiology, scientific areas of speech-language pathology and language, as well as a supervised practice of at least 400 hours.

Most master’s programs require an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology, audiology, or a relevant or more generic degree, such as communications disorders.

New York Licensure Requirements

To be licensed as a speech pathologist in New York, an individual must have finished a graduate degree in speech-language pathology from an approved educational program; completed at least nine months (36 weeks) of supervised clinical experience; and pass the Specialty Area test of the Praxis Series, Praxis II, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

For more information on the Praxis Series test for speech-language pathology, go to: http://www.ets.org/praxis/.
Speech-language pathologists are also required to take continuing education courses to maintain licensure. For more information on New York licensing requirements for speech-language pathologists, go to: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/slpa/speechlic.htm.

Financial Support

Many of the colleges and universities listed below have scholarships and other funding awards available for speech-language pathology students. Please check the programs’ websites and with the financial aid office at the school.

In addition, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation offers several scholarship opportunities. For information, go to: http://www.ashfoundation.org/grants/default.htm.

Education Programs in New York (subject to change)

Note: Please click on each school’s name to view the school’s website for available academic programs.

Additional Web Links

For more information about speech-language pathologists, go to the websites for:

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://asha.org/.

The New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://www.nysslha.org/.

The American Academy of Audiology http://www.audiology.org/.
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