what do speech therapists make

Speech Therapist Salary in the United States

Speech therapist salary, how much does a speech therapist make.

Last Updated on August 27, 2024

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Speech Therapist

Citadel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Kingsbridge - BRONX, NY

Classic Rehab - PHILADELPHIA, PA

Speech Therapist-Home Health

Paramount Home Health DBA Los Robles Healthcare - RIVERSIDE, CA

Speech Therapist $3500 sign on bonus

Westview Healthcare Center - AUBURN, CA

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View Speech Therapist Salary by Experience Levels

An entry-level Speech Therapist with under 1 year experience makes about $90,033. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Speech Therapist makes around $92,223. After 2-4 years, the Speech Therapist pay rises to about $96,441. Those senior Speech Therapist with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $96,863, and those Speech Therapist having 8 years or more experience are expected to earn about $97,566 on average.

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View Speech Therapist Salary Trends

For those exploring the changing dynamics of Speech Therapist salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. Our research highlights a notable shift in Speech Therapist compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $112,260 in 2023 to about $113,619 in 2024 (for a comprehensive analysis of Speech Therapist salary trends, click here). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.

Average Annual Salary of Speech Therapist Over Time

Speech therapist salary by year.

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Job Openings of Speech Therapist

Salary.com job board provides millions of Speech Therapist information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Speech Therapist job openings or enter a new job title here.

Citadel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Kingsbridge

Competitive salary and benefits package. PTO, 401K MATCHED, HEALTH BENEFITS. The primary purpose of this position is to administer medically prescribed pro... more

9 Months Ago

Classic Rehab

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Speech Language Pathologist Job Summary: *We are seeking a Speech Therapist to join our Early Intervention team in the Philadelphia, PA area. You will prov... more

10 Months Ago

Paramount Home Health DBA Los Robles Healthcare

RIVERSIDE, CA

Join a team that is dedicated to bringing together the best people, practices, and ideas to set the standard for healthcare in the home. Employment Type: *... more

13 Days Ago

Westview Healthcare Center

Overview. We are seeking a dedicated Speech Therapist to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for helping individuals improve their commu... more

25 Days Ago

Sky Home Health LLC

Job Summary. We are seeking a dedicated Speech Therapist to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide speech and language therapy services to individ... more

19 Days Ago

Health Link

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA

Description. Health Link Home Health Agency, is a renowned provider of comprehensive home health services in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. For nearly... more

22 Days Ago

Common Company Salaries for Speech Therapist

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Speech Therapist Salary by Educational Level

Salaries for speech therapist with a high school diploma or technical certificate.

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Speech Therapist with a Master's Degree or MBA is $89,389 - $94,332. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

Speech Therapist Salaries by Degree Level

FAQ about Speech Therapist

1. what are the responsibilities of speech therapist.

The Speech Therapist evaluates speech and language skills as related to educational, medical, social, and psychological factors. Diagnoses and treats speech and language problems, and engages in scientific study of human communication. Being a Speech Therapist is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders. Plans, directs, or conducts rehabilitative treatment programs to restore communicative efficiency of individuals with communication problems of organic and nonorganic etiology. In addition, Speech Therapist maintains records, monitors progress, and counsels patients and their family members. May require a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology (CCC). Requires a master's degree of speech-language pathology. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Speech Therapist's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

2. What are the skills of Speech Therapist

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

Commitment: An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.

Rehabilitation Services: Rehabilitation services is a special healthcare service that help a person regain physical, mental, and/or cognitive (thinking and learning) abilities that have been lost or impaired as a result of disease, injury, or treatment.

Infection Control: Infection control is the discipline concerned with preventing nosocomial or healthcare-associated infection, a practical (rather than academic) sub-discipline of epidemiology. It is an essential, though often underrecognized and undersupported, part of the infrastructure of health care. Infection control and hospital epidemiology are akin to public health practice, practiced within the confines of a particular health-care delivery system rather than directed at society as a whole. Anti-infective agents include antibiotics, antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals and antiprotozoals. Infection control addresses factors related to the spread of infections within the healthcare setting (whether patient-to-patient, from patients to staff and from staff to patients, or among-staff), including prevention (via hand hygiene/hand washing, cleaning/disinfection/sterilization, vaccination, surveillance), monitoring/investigation of demonstrated or suspected spread of infection within a particular health-care setting (surveillance and outbreak investigation), and management (interruption of outbreaks). It is on this basis that the common title being adopted within health care is "infection prevention and control."

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Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Guide

Speech-language pathologists specialize in evaluating and treating conditions that affect one’s ability to speak and swallow. Speech-language pathologists are also called speech therapists, or abbreviated as SLPs. Their work helps people improve and regain functions related to speech, language, vocalization, communication, swallowing, and more.  

In this guide, we’ll discuss the average salary, how to find the highest-paying speech therapist jobs, how to maximize your SLP pay, and more.  

This rewarding career path is needed in all 50 states, and demand is only projected to grow. Check out Trusted’s Speech-Language Pathologist Career Guide to learn how to get started in this rewarding career path. Now, let’s talk about speech and language pathologist salary.  

How Much Does a Speech Pathologist Make?

The average speech pathologist salary is $89,290 annually, or $42.93 per hour.  

• The highest-earning 10% of SLPs earn $129,930 annually or more, which is approximately $62.47 per hour.
• The lowest earning 10% of SLPs earn approximately $57,910 annually, equal to $27.84 per hour.  

What Type of Speech Pathologist Makes the Most Money?

Your speech-language pathologist salary will vary depending on the environment you work in. SLPs have the flexibility to work in a wide variety of healthcare settings. Currently, the highest-paid speech therapists work in:

• Civic and social organizations- $130,620 per year
• Home health care services- $121,410 per year
• Management- $112,110 per year
• Child care services- $109,110
• Skilled nursing facilities- $108,640

Here are even more types of speech pathologist work settings and the average salaries for each:

• Specialty hospitals- $105,830 per year
• General hospitals- $ 98,790 per year
• Healthcare offices- $96,540 per year
• Education and schools- $83,720 per year

Speech-language pathologists are skilled healthcare providers needed in a wide variety of clinical environments. Each work setting allows you to specialize in a certain area of speech therapy, allowing you to gain experience, grow your skillset, and increase your salary as a speech-language pathologist.

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Experience

To be a speech-language pathologist, you must have a master’s degree in speech pathology. Additionally, SLPs must be state-licensed and nationally certified through the American Speech-Langage-Hearing Association (ASHA).

What is a speech pathologist salary with a master’s degree? Since all speech pathologists hold master's degrees, the wages of master’s prepared SLPs are the same as those listed above. Here’s a brief review:

• The average speech pathologist salary with a master’s degree is $89,290.  
• The highest earning 10% of SLPs earn $129,930.
• The lowest earning 10% of SLPs earn $57,910 annually.  

On average, it can take six years or more to earn a master’s degree and get started in speech therapy. First, a bachelor’s degree is needed, which takes approximately four years. After that, your next step is a master’s degree, which takes an average of two years to complete.

How much does an SLP make as they gain experience?

As you gain experience in speech and language pathology, you can expect your salary to increase. The number of years worked in this field will translate to higher pay. Learning advanced skills, expanding your expertise, and moving into leadership and management roles are great ways to earn more.

What are the Top-Paying States for Speech-Language Pathologists?

The top-paying states for SLPs , by average yearly salary, are:

• California- $112,030 per year
• Washington, DC- $111,110 per year
• Colorado- $107,780 per year
• Hawaii- $106,790 per year
• New Jersey- $102,820 per year

SLP pay varies by geographic region and location. In general, areas of the country with higher costs of living pay more than areas with lower costs of living. Larger, urban cities tend to pay more than smaller, rural ones.

SLP Salary Range Considerations:

Many other factors affect speech-language pathologist pay, including work setting and location. Obtaining voluntary certification can unlock opportunities for career advancement, increase job mobility, and boost earning potential.

• The Speech-Language Pathology Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) is an additional certification that SLPs can obtain to showcase their dedication and expertise.  

Don’t forget that gaining experience, taking on additional responsibilities, growing your skills, and expanding into leadership or management roles are all great ways to increase your speech therapy salary in addition to certification.

What is the Job Outlook Like for SLPs?

Speech and language pathology has an impressive 19% projected growth rate over the next ten years! This is much faster than average compared to all professions, with an expected 33,100 additional speech therapists needed to meet demand by 2032.

As healthcare needs continue to grow, the demand for skilled and experienced speech therapists will only increase. Staff and travel SLPs will be needed to fill this gap, and becoming a travel SLP is one of the most effective ways to increase your speech therapist salary.

Travel SLP Salary

Trusted Health's current median travel speech therapist salary is $2130 weekly. Working at this rate for 50 weeks annually would net you approximately $106,500 annually!

Travel speech therapists are expert healthcare providers who can work in a wide range of SLP roles with minimal orientation and guidance. Consequently, travel SLP pay is often higher than SLP pay. Travel SLPs are experts in their field and can hit the ground running to ensure patients’ healthcare needs are promptly met despite regional staffing shortages.

Find a Speech-Language Pathologist Job with Trusted Health

Taking your skills on the road as a travel speech-language pathologist is a great way to maximize your earning potential! It is also an excellent way to see the United States, enjoy new experiences, and expand your speech-therapist career.

Trusted Health proudly offers the industry’s highest-paying travel SLP jobs, outstanding benefits, and unmatched clinical support. Becoming an allied health traveler is the start of the adventure of a lifetime, and Trusted Health is here for you every step of the way.

Get started by searching our current travel speech language pathologist jobs today!

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How Much Do Speech-Language Pathologists Make?

Industry Advice Healthcare

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) perform a range of duties to improve their patients’ lives and wellbeing. From evaluating patients to diagnosing speech, language, and swallowing disorders to creating and implementing treatment plans and more, SLPs play a critical role in the mental health and healthcare industries. 

To become an SLP, an individual must complete a graduate-level degree (such as a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology), pass a national examination, and apply for licensure in the state they wish to practice. Together, these steps serve to demonstrate their future effectiveness in the role. 

Clearly, becoming an SLP is no small feat. It takes dedication and an investment of time, effort, and money to earn the degree alone. It is for this reason that speech-language pathologists are well-rewarded for their work. In addition to the satisfaction that comes from working to improve the lives of their patients every day, speech-language pathologists also enjoy competitive salaries and significant job security.

Below, we examine the average salary that speech-language pathologists can expect to earn and discuss some of the factors that can influence this salary. 

Interested in a Speech-Language Pathology Career?

Learn how an SLP degree can give you the skills you need to make a difference in educational and healthcare settings.

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of all speech-language pathologists is approximately $80,500 per year . The highest 10 percent of professionals earn more than $122,750 per year. This figure typically correlates with those who have the most experience in the field. 

However, several factors will influence your compensation as a speech-language pathologist. These factors include:

• The specific environment you work in 
• How long you have worked in the field
• Where in the country you are employed 

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Work Environment

The specific facility or work environment you are employed in will significantly impact your salary. Per the BLS, those who work in nursing and residential care facilities earn the highest average wages, while those working in educational facilities, such as schools, earn the lowest average wages:

• Nursing and residential care facilities: $95,010 per year
• Hospitals: $87,110 per year
• Private practice: $83,250 per year
• Educational services: $71,410 per year

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) compiled a similar report in 2019 that breaks these facilities down in more granular detail. That study reported salary by facility and work environment as follows:

• Skilled nursing facility (SNF): $95,000 per year
• General medical: $85,798 per year
• Home health: $76,000 per year
• Outpatient clinic or office: $73,500 per year
• Pediatric hospital: $78,000 per year
• Rehab hospital: $79,000 per year

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Experience

ASHA also found that SLPs with greater levels of experience will typically earn more than those with fewer years of experience:

• 1 to 3 years of experience: $66,000 per year
• 4 to 6 years of experience: $72,000 per year
• 7 to 9 years of experience: $78,000 per year
• 10 to 12 years of experience: $78,000 per year
• 13 to 15 years of experience: $87,500 per year
• 16 to 18 years of experience: $82,000 per year
• 19 to 21 years of experience: $100,000 per year
• 22 to 24 years of experience: $83,000 per year
• 25 to 27 years of experience: $90,000 per year
• 28 to 30 years of experience: No data
• 31 or more years of experience: $95,000 per year

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Location

Finally, the specific location in which you work can impact your salary as well. According to ASHA, the region with the highest median salary for SLPs is the Western United States, while the region with the lowest average salary is the Midwest:

• West: $85,000 per year
• South: $79,000 per year
• Northeast: $78,000 per year
• Midwest: $73,520 per year

Speech-Language Pathology Job Outlook

Between 2019 and 2029, the number of speech-language pathologists is expected to grow by approximately 25 percent — a much faster growth rate than the 4 percent growth expected across all occupations in the U.S. This growth translates into an additional 40,500 open positions in the coming decade. 

There are a number of trends driving this increased demand. One of the most consequential developments is the aging of the Baby Boomer population. As this significant population ages, they are increasingly experiencing medical problems such as dementia and stroke that lead to speech and swallowing conditions addressed by SLPs. Additionally, medical advances have increased the likelihood of survival for those who experience serious medical episodes (such as stroke), increasing the number of older patients in need of the services offered by speech-language pathologists. 

Another critical consideration is the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the field of speech-language pathology. For example, more SLPs are needed to help treat speech and swallowing complications that have resulted from the disease in some patients. Additionally, the rapid shift toward telehealth sparked by the pandemic has made getting treatment by SLPs much more accessible for many populations (while also notably limiting access for other populations).

The First Step Into a Promising SLP Career

Speech-language pathologists enjoy high salaries, robust job growth, and numerous avenues for career growth. If you believe that becoming an SLP is the right move for you, the first step toward breaking into the field is to complete a related master’s degree, such as a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology . 

When selecting a program to enroll in, there are several factors to consider, including the quality of the facilities, whether or not the faculty consists of individuals with experience in the field, and clinical placement opportunities.

Students enrolled in the MS in Speech-Language Pathology program at Northeastern complete their initial clinical training in the on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Center to develop competence in the foundation skills they will use throughout their careers. Faculty members are active in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology, in addition to being world-renowned researchers contributing to the progression of the discipline. 

Students must complete a total of four clinical courses, gaining the hands-on experience that they will need to be successful in the field. Once the first semester of clinical training is completed at the on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Center, the following semesters include Advanced Clinical Programming at the Center along with off-campus work in community-based hospitals, clinics, educational facilities, etc. 

Interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist? Learn more about the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northeastern University. 

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Advanced degree holders earn a salary an average 25% higher than bachelor's degree holders. (Economic Policy Institute, 2021)

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How To Become A Speech Pathologist: A Step-By-Step Guide

Updated: Jul 6, 2023, 10:29am

Human communication is astoundingly complex. Every language spoken on Earth comprises vocabularies with tens of thousands of words, built with dozens of speech sounds. Languages enable us to discuss almost any concept, and learning new languages can offer opportunities for enrichment expanding past cultural and geographical borders.

However, intervention by a speech pathologist is critical when human speech and language are impaired. Speech pathologists treat various speech, language and swallowing disorders (speech and swallowing use the same muscles). By attending speech pathologist school, you’re embarking on a journey to help people regain their ability to communicate clearly and connect with others on a human level.

Read on to learn how to become a speech pathologist.

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What Is a Speech Pathologist?

A speech pathologist is a clinical professional who helps patients overcome communication or swallowing challenges. Speech pathologists work to improve patients’ quality of life by fortifying their language and fluency skills, bolstering their vocabulary, and restoring their ability to enjoy foods and liquids safely.

Issues that speech pathologists treat include:

• Speech impediments: How we vocalize sounds and articulate words is crucial to our communication abilities. Speech impediments may severely hinder vocalization to the point where a person can’t speak at all or in a way others can understand. Speech pathologists help patients overcome these issues and strengthen their ability to speak and communicate clearly.
• Language disorders: People with language disorders may struggle to understand the words or sounds used by others or come up with the right words while speaking. Speech pathologists help patients expand their vocabulary and fortify their comprehension.
• Fluency issues: Fluency pertains to how well speech flows. Somebody with a stutter, for example, may seek treatment and counseling from a speech pathologist.
• Swallowing disorders: Difficulty swallowing (known as dysphagia) can stem from various causes, including past surgeries, radiation and neurological damage. Dysphagia can lead to malnutrition if left untreated. Speech pathologists help patients strengthen and develop the muscles necessary to swallow properly.

Work Environment

Speech pathologists work in various professional settings. Most work in educational facilities, including state, local and private settings. Others work in clinical offices, hospitals or nursing and residential care facilities. In rare cases, speech pathologists may be self-employed, but most work as part of a team.

Common Challenges

Speech pathologists must have a firm handle on treating and interacting with people from diverse populations. They should know how to approach people of various ages and ethnic backgrounds with a range of disorders.

Speech pathology can also be emotionally taxing. Speech pathologists must be compassionate and empathetic toward their patients; it can be challenging to witness as patients struggle with severe speech impediments or swallowing disorders.

Speech Pathologist Salary and Job Outlook

Speech pathologists take home a median annual wage of $84,140, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The job outlook for this profession is overwhelmingly positive; employment is estimated to grow by 21% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average projected growth for all other occupations.

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

Becoming a speech pathologist involves earning a master’s degree, obtaining licensure and clocking several hours of supervised practice.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

While a speech pathologist ultimately needs a master’s degree, starting with your bachelor’s is a good first step. You may not have to earn your bachelor’s degree in a particular subject to qualify for admission to a speech pathology master’s program. However, it could be helpful to pursue your bachelor’s degree in a subject like speech and hearing science, speech pathology or another health-related field.

A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to complete.

Complete a Master’s Degree

You’ll need to obtain a master’s degree in speech pathology next. Your program must be accredited for you to become certified, and sometimes to earn state licensure as well. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) accredits speech-language pathology programs.

It generally takes two years to finish a master’s degree. Master’s degree programs require students to complete an internship or supervised clinical work during their studies. Master’s programs cover topics such as fluency disorders, social communication development, dysphagia and language disorders in children.

Obtain Licensure

After finishing your master’s program, you’ll need a license to practice speech pathology in your state. That entails getting a master’s degree from an accredited program, clocking additional supervised clinical experience hours (even if you’ve already completed some as part of your master’s) and passing a licensure exam.

Every state has varying requirements for licensure. In California, for example, speech pathologists must complete 300 supervised hours of clinical practice in three separate clinical settings, along with 36 weeks of supervised full-time required professional experience. Alternatively, they may complete 72 weeks of part-time experience.

In Oklahoma, speech pathologists need a supervised, 400-hour clinical practicum experience. Of those hours, 375 should be in direct client contact and 25 in clinical observation. Pathologists should complete 325 of their practicum hours in a CAA-accredited graduate program.

Certifications for Speech Pathologists

Speech pathologists can earn certifications to demonstrate their professional competency. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Regulatory agencies recognize this certification in most states. Some states and school districts provide pay supplements to ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.

Candidates must graduate from an accredited program to earn the CCC-SLP credential. They must also pass an exam and log 400 hours of supervised clinical experience. The certification costs $511 for applicants who wish to become ASHA members; it costs $455 without the membership.

Professional Organizations for Speech Pathologists

Speech pathologists may also seek specialized certifications in various speech pathology concentrations. The American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders , the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders, and the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders all offer specialty certifications.

American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (BCS-CL)

To become certified as a specialist in child language, you must:

• Be CCC-SLP certified
• Have been employed for five years full-time as a speech pathologist
• Log 100 hours of intermediate or advanced continuing education in the realm of child language in the last 10 years

The application fee for the BCS-CL is $250.

American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders (BCS-F)

Becoming a board-certified BCS-F member requires:

• Being CCC-SLP certified
• A minimum of three years of full-time employment experience in speech pathology
• 450 clinical contact service hours within the area of fluency disorders
• Submitting a portfolio of case studies to be approved.

The application fee is $250.

American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S)

Speech pathologists who specialize in dysphagia can apply to become BCS-S certified. Candidates must:

• Demonstrate advanced continuing education in the dysphagia field
• Have at least three years of experience working directly with dysphagia patients
• Document advanced-level skills in treating swallowing disorders

The application fee is $100.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Become a Speech Pathologist

What is the difference between a speech pathologist and a speech therapist.

These terms are interchangeable—there’s no difference between a speech pathologist and a speech therapist. Both speech therapists and speech pathologists help patients overcome vocalization, language, fluency and swallowing issues.

What is the best major for speech pathology?

Speech pathology doesn’t require any particular bachelor’s degree, but majoring in a related subject like speech and hearing science, speech pathology or communications disorders may help your chances of getting into an accredited master’s program. Most speech pathology master’s programs require undergraduate coursework in biology and health-related fields.

How much money do SLPs make?

The median annual salary for a speech pathologist in the U.S. is $84,140, as reported by the BLS. Speech pathologists who work in company and enterprise management make $127,180 on average.

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Speech-Language Pathology Salary

The demand for speech and linguistic therapy has been trending upward as public school systems are now more than ever making SLP services available to students, as strides are being made to identify and diagnose disorders early, and as a greater number of elderly stroke survivors undergo therapy, among other factors.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have landed, once again, on the U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Jobs list, holding down the #8 spot for 2020, and for good reason. A strong demand for SLPs has driven salaries up and unemployment down (just 0.8% as of 2020), and everyone from young children to seniors are benefitting from the services they provide related to speech, language, and swallowing disorders.

• Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
• Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
• NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
• Calvin University - Calvin University's Online Speech and Hearing Foundations Certificate - Helps You Gain a Strong Foundation for Your Speech-Language Pathology Career.

More kids in preschool than ever before…expanded services being made available in schools under Individualized Education Programs that address students’ specific needs…and increasing numbers of seniors living with age-related medical conditions like dementia and strokes are just a few of the factors contributing to the rising demand for SLPs. It’s a red-hot profession, and demand is far outpacing supply in many cases.

Earn the credentials it takes to become part of this profession and you just might end up with your pick of job offers, while definitely being in line for strong salary offers and fantastic perks like hiring and relocation bonuses.

Keep reading to learn how much SLPs are earning, how experience, setting, and geographic location can and do influence earning potential, and how to position yourself as one of the top earners in the profession.

SLP Salaries and How Experience Influences Earning Potential

From hospitals to in-home service: what slps earn in different practice settings, and the top-paying cities and states for slps are…, hiring bonuses and other salary perks for speech-language pathologists, a guide to slp salaries in all 50 states, speech pathology graduate salaries by state.

• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Strong salaries continue to dominate the SLP field and reaching a six-figure salary isn’t out of the question here.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), speech-language pathologists earned an average, annual salary of $77,510 as of May 2019. The top earners in the profession (top 25 th percentile) earned an average salary of $97,770.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) 2019 annual  SLP Healthcare Survey reported a similar annual average salary for speech-language pathologists of $78,000. Those in the top 25 th percentile earned an average salary of $92,000.

Speech-language pathologists share similar qualifications, including a graduate education in speech-language pathology that’s been accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) , pre-licensure professional experiences, a state license and, in many cases, the  through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (many states either require the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) for licensure or recognize it as a path to licensure).

Because of these fairly standard license and practice requirements, you won’t find much difference in salaries here. However, where you practice (both setting and location) and how long you’ve been practicing does influence your earning power in the SLP field.

According to ASHA, SLPs with 1-3 years of experience earned an average salary of $66,000. Salaries continue to grow until reaching a peak at about 20 years of experience:

• 4-6 years: $72,000
• 7-9 years: $79,000
• 10-12 years: $78,000
• 13-15 years: $87,500
• 16-18 years: $82,000
• 19-21 years: $100,000

You’ll find significant salary differences depending on the setting in which SLPs work. According to the ASHA 2019 salary survey, the highest-paid SLPs worked in skilled nursing facilities, where they earned an annual average salary of $95,000. The BLS also reported a similar annual mean salary for SLPs in this setting, at $94,840.

SLPs in VA, long-term acute care, and general medical hospitals also earned an average salary that far exceeded the national average – $85,798, according to ASHA. BLS stats also mirrored ASHA, with SLPs in these settings earning a mean salary of $85,220.

According to ASHA, other average salaries according to setting include:

• Home Health: $76,000
• Outpatient clinics/offices: $73,500
• Pediatric hospitals: $78,000
• Rehabilitation hospitals: $79,000

The top earners in the field (top 25 th percentile) earned the following average salaries, according to ASHA:

• General medical/VA/long-term acute care hospitals: $98,000
• Home health: $90,000
• Outpatient clinics: $86,200
• Pediatric hospitals: $90,000
• Rehabilitation hospitals: $90,000
• Skilled nursing facilities: $105,000

While ASHA didn’t reveal salaries for SLPs in elementary and secondary schools, the BLS reported an average mean salary of $72,480 for these professionals. SLPs in school settings remain among the lowest paid in the field and are often among the busiest due to high caseloads.

According to ASHA, the top earners in the field are in the western part of the U.S., with these SLPs earning an average salary of $85,000. This isn’t surprising, considering that the cost of living in this area of the country tends to be higher than in other parts of the country.

Other average salaries according to geographical location include:

• South: $79,000
• Northeast: $78,000
• Midwest: $73,520

The BLS provided even more insight into where SLPs earn the highest salaries by highlighting the top-paying states for these professionals (according to annual mean salary):

• New Jersey: $95,000
• Washington D.C.: $93,570
• California: $93,510
• Connecticut: $92,280
• Colorado: $90,980

And according to metro area:

• Napa, CA: $106,620
• Jackson, MI: $105,130
• San Francisco, CA (includes Oakland and Hayward): $103,890
• Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: $103,030
• Tulsa, OK: $102,680
• Wichita Falls, TX: $102,540
• Chico, CA: $101,990
• Battle Creek, MI: $101,810
• Gainesville, FL: $101,750

Total compensation in the SLP field includes both salary and bonuses, often as a result of holding the CCC-SLP. It’s quite common for employers in states that don’t require the CCC-SLP for licensure to encourage SLPs to earn this national designation by offering hiring/annual bonuses and/or higher salaries. Also, many of the nation’s top employers of SLPs now require this designation as a condition of employment, so holding the CCC-SLP may be your ticket to more and higher-paying job opportunities.

Employers across the country continue to struggle with recruitment and retention of SLPs, so it’s quite common to find employers offering sign-on bonuses, relocation bonuses, and more. A quick search of current SLP jobs throughout the country revealed signing bonuses reaching $2,500, relocation assistance, and even student loan repayment.

Learn more about the earning power of SLPs in your state by checking out the following BLS salary stats for SLPs in the 50 th -90 th percentiles:

• Alabama: $65,510 – $102,470 (approximately 1,700 licensed SLPs)
• Alaska: $88,250 – $122,110 (approximately 250 licensed SLPs)
• Arizona: $74,540 – $108,920 (approximately 2,730 licensed SLPs)
• Arkansas: $67,930 – $118,470 (approximately 1,990 licensed SLPs)
• California: $93,060 – $126,000 (approximately 14,980 licensed SLPs)
• Colorado: $87,910 – $132,740 (approximately 3,980 licensed SLPs)
• Connecticut: $94,460 – $156,350 (approximately 2,290 licensed SLPs)
• Delaware: $82,270 – $120,250 (approximately 630 licensed SLPs)
• District of Columbia: $99,160 – $138,470 (approximately 390 licensed SLPs)
• Florida: $82,560 – $112,360 (approximately 9,120 licensed SLPs)
• Georgia: $76,170 – $115,350 (approximately 3,440 licensed SLPs)
• Hawaii: $78,540 – $101,560
• Idaho: $72,150 – $104,700 (approximately 820 licensed SLPs)
• Illinois: $76,010 – $116,720 (approximately 7,510 licensed SLPs)
• Indiana: $75,940 – $107,760 (approximately 2,610 licensed SLPs)
• Iowa: $74,470 – $107,770 (approximately 1,230 licensed SLPs)
• Kansas: $70,670 – $111,830 (approximately 1,490 licensed SLPs)
• Kentucky: $68,900 – $108,110 (approximately 2,130 licensed SLPs)
• Louisiana: $80,770 – $120,550 (approximately 1,260 licensed SLPs)
• Maine: $65,130 – $88,700 (approximately 790 licensed SLPs)
• Maryland: $85,160 – $123,930 (approximately 3,020 licensed SLPs)
• Massachusetts: $86,310 – $122,690 (approximately 3,990 licensed SLPs)
• Michigan: $76,860 – $118,190 (approximately 4,300 licensed SLPs)
• Minnesota: $75,300 – $106,150 (approximately 3,240 licensed SLPs)
• Mississippi: $64,880 – $98,230 (approximately 1,460 licensed SLPs)
• Missouri: $78,360 – $120,450 (approximately 3,410 licensed SLPs)
• Montana: $71,270 – $109,950 (approximately 380 licensed SLPs)
• Nebraska: $73,150 – $101,110 (approximately 1,020 licensed SLPs)
• Nevada: $76,870 – $118,990 (approximately 1,070 licensed SLPs)
• New Hampshire: $75,800 – $101,480 (approximately 750 licensed SLPs)
• New Jersey: $89,510 – $154,210 (approximately 5,750 licensed SLPs)
• New Mexico: $71,760 – $111,820 (approximately 880 licensed SLPs)
• New York: $88,910 – $149,470 (approximately 13,130 licensed SLPs)
• North Carolina: $70,680 – $112,420 (approximately 4,450 licensed SLPs)
• North Dakota: $67,940 – $90,940 (approximately 560 licensed SLPs)
• Ohio: $74,280 – $113,570 (approximately 6,200 licensed SLPs)
• Oklahoma: $70,260 – $113,980 (approximately 1,700 licensed SLPs)
• Oregon: $83,240 – $115,800 (approximately 1,650 licensed SLPs)
• Pennsylvania: $76,570 – $121,250 (approximately 5,700 licensed SLPs)
• Rhode Island: $85,710 – $119,050 (approximately 600 licensed SLPs)
• South Carolina: $71,700 – $102,070 (approximately 1,830 licensed SLPs)
• South Dakota: $59,180 – $83,760 (approximately 360 licensed SLPs)
• Tennessee $78,080 – $102,580 (approximately 3,150 licensed SLPs)
• Texas: $71,280 – $110,960 (approximately 14,820 licensed SLPs)
• Utah: $79,100 – $106,940 (approximately 1,360 licensed SLPs)
• Vermont: $73,140 – $101,630 (approximately 280 licensed SLPs)
• Virginia: $86,350 – $124,600 (approximately 3,090 licensed SLPs)
• Washington: $77,340 – $106,900 (approximately 3,110 licensed SLPs)
• West Virginia: $59,000 – $102,910 (approximately 800 licensed SLPs)
• Wisconsin: $72,090 – $99,450 (approximately 2,360 licensed SLPs)
• Wyoming: $75,820 – $121,270 (approximately 300 licensed SLPs)

Salary and employment data compiled by the  United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019 . Figures represent accumulated data for all employment sectors in which speech-language pathologists work. BLS salary data represents average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. 

Salary and employment data compiled by ASHA’s 2020 SLP Healthcare Survey . Figures represent accumulated data for all employment sectors in which speech-language pathologists work. This data does not represent starting salaries. 

All salary and employment data accessed September 2020.

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• Transnasal Esophagoscopy and Pharyngeal/Esophageal Manometry
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• Voice Therapy
• Dual Certification in SLP and Lactation Consultancy
• Continuing Education is Key to Career Versatility and Longevity in This Field
• Do You Speak with an Accent? … You Can Still Be an Outstanding SLP
• The Challenges and Rewards of Working with English Language Learners
• Some Advice on How to Approach Your Clinical Fellowship
• 4 Things a Job Description Can’t Tell You About the Profession
• 5 Things I Love Most About Being an SLP
• Your Guide to Getting Started in Telepractice
• Why Team Player SLPs are Even More Effective Than Superstars
• Why Working With the Entire Family Gets the Best Results in Kids Struggling with Speech-Language Issues

Average Salaries for Speech Therapists by State (2022)

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On average, speech therapists earn about $96,000 per year in the United States in 2022. This number is affected by where you work and how many years of experience you have. Entry-level speech therapist salaries average around $66,000, while speech therapists with 20 years of experience report average earnings of $100,000 or more.

Data collected by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association shows that speech therapists working in health care positions typically earn more than speech therapists working in education. Likewise, administrative and supervisor roles pay more than clinical service provider positions.

Speech therapists are also likely to earn more if they work in large cities and in certain states. Top-paying areas for speech therapists in 2020 included California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.

Careers in Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are graduate-level professionals who have earned a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). In order to earn the CCC-SLP, speech therapists must first complete graduate coursework, a clinical practicum, and pass a national exam.

SLPs work with clients struggling with speech, language, voice, or fluency problems.

Once speech therapists are certified, they can work in a variety of settings, including education, health care, and research. They can also work in private practice but will most likely always be part of an interdisciplinary team established to help their clients. Speech therapists frequently collaborate with teachers, parents, doctors, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation counselors to ensure that their clients are receiving the comprehensive care they need.

Average Speech Therapy Salary

While the average speech therapy salary in the United States is about $96,000 per year, or $51 per hour, exact salary numbers vary based on a number of factors, such as employment setting, job position, geographic location, and years of experience. Speech therapists working in health care settings, for example, tend to earn more than speech therapists working in educational settings.

According to 2021 data collected by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the annual salaries of SLPs working in health care positions were as follows:

• $97,616 for administrators or supervisors
• $77,000 in outpatient clinics or offices
• $91,000 in skilled nursing facilities
• $78,000 for SLPs who were primarily clinicians
• $64,000 for SLPs with one to three years of experience
• $95,000 for SLPs with 31 or more years of experience

According to 2020 data on speech-language pathologists working in school settings, the average speech therapist salaries were as follows:

• $66,000 for SLPs working 9 or 10 months
• $80,000 for SLPs working 11 or 12 months
• $63,000 for clinical service providers in preschools
• $75,000 for clinical service providers in secondary schools

Speech Therapy Salary by State

Data collected by ASHA shows that speech therapists earn higher average salaries in some states than in others. California, for example, reported the highest average salary for SLPs in school settings, at $95,000 per year in 2020. North Carolina, on the other hand, reported the lowest average salary at $54,060. Overall, average academic salaries are higher in Pacific states, at about $90,000 per year.

Speech therapist salaries in health care settings tend to be higher in the western U.S. According to ASHA, the average salary for an SLP in 2021 in the West was $90,000, up 5K from 2019. Salaries were lower in the Northwest at $79,830.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these are the top-paying states for SLPs:

• California: $102,650 per year
• Hawaii: $100,120 per year
• New York: $98,850 per year
• New Jersey: $98,270 per year
• District of Columbia: $98,240 per year

These are the states with the highest concentration of speech therapy jobs and their respective salaries as of 2019:

• Colorado: $93,460 per year
• Illinois: $82,590 per year
• Vermont: $84,290 per year

Top Cities for Speech Therapists

In general, speech therapists who work in urban settings earn higher average salaries than speech-language pathologists in more remote work settings. Just as some states offer more lucrative opportunities for speech therapists, so do some cities.

According to June 2022 data provided by Indeed, these are the highest paying cities for speech therapists:

• Los Angeles, CA: $104,745 per year
• Chicago, IL: $103,612 per year
• Denver, CO: $101,561 per year
• Queens, NY: $100,049 per year
• Houston, TX: $97,591 per year
• Bronx, NY: $95,225 per year
• Las Vegas, NV: $94,017 per year
• Easton, PA: $84,999 per year

Popular Companies for Speech Therapists

Companies that employ speech therapists include large corporations, nonprofit organizations, and community clinics. Selecting the right company for you depends on your personal goals, such as working full-time, part-time, as a direct care provider, or as an administrator or supervisor.

Here is a selection of top-rated companies on Indeed for speech therapists in the U.S.:

• First Choice Home Care
• JayCare Therapy
• Dynamicare Health, Inc.
• CareMeridian

Therapists report that they enjoy working at the above companies because of the excellent work environments, outside-of-the box thinking, professional work etiquette, and care for both clients and employees.

In many positions, SLPs are able to set their own schedules, and companies are supportive of their employees receiving further education and training.

Job Growth & Future Expectations

The BLS predicts that the field of speech-language pathology will see 27% job growth from 2018 to 2028, which is much higher than the national average job growth rate.

An increased number of SLPs will be needed across the country to work with the aging baby boomer population and young children with speech disorders who are becoming more widely identified.

Rising rates of autism around the country also contribute to the increased need for speech therapists. Often, SLPs work with children on the spectrum to improve their communication and social skills.

• 2020 Schools Survey: SLP Annual Salaries and Hourly Wages . American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2019: Speech-Language Pathologists . U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• SLP Health Care 2021 Survey: Annual Salary Report . American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Speech-Language Pathologists . American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Speech-Language Pathologists: Job Outlook . U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Speech Therapist . Indeed.

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Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP): What Do They Treat?

What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

A speech-language pathologist (SLP), also known as a speech therapist, is a health professional who diagnoses and treats communication and swallowing problems. They work with both children and adults of all ages in clinics, schools, and hospitals. They can help if you or someone you love has a developmental disorder, neurological condition, or brain injury that affects your ability to communicate with other people. They also can help if you have trouble eating or drinking safely due to swallowing issues.

What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do?

A speech-language pathologist does many things. Typically, they check how you're able to communicate or swallow. When you're having trouble communicating or swallowing , they will try to find the cause. They'll also develop a treatment plan just for you based on the trouble you're having and the reason for it. They'll work with you and provide therapy to help. They'll also keep track of how you're doing over time. Any treatment they offer is known as speech therapy.

SLPs provide a broad range of therapies because they treat communication and swallowing problems caused by so many different disorders. Their work may include:

• Helping people learn how to form sounds
• Teaching how to speak clearly and easily
• Using exercises to strengthen muscles used to speak or swallow
• Helping people increase the number of words they can say and/or understand
• Working with people to improve the way they put words together in sentences
• Providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for people who have severe language disorders
• Educating patients and their families about how to overcome challenges from the communication or swallowing problem
• Providing a type of treatment called aural rehabilitation, which helps people with hearing loss

An SLP can help you understand other people better. They can also help other people understand you better by improving your ability to share your feelings through words, gestures, or other means. They can help you learn how to carry on a conversation, including taking turns or giving other people personal space.

SLPs can help you even if you have very limited or no ability to speak the way other people do. They can train you on how to use devices, such as electronic tablets or communication boards. In addition, they can help you learn to swallow safely with approaches that help you better control your swallowing muscles.

SLPs also can help you with:

• How your voice sounds
• How loud you talk
• Memory, attention, problem-solving, organization, and thinking
• Sucking and chewing

Types of Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists use different techniques and tools depending on what the underlying cause is, how old you are, and other factors. You may have different types of therapy including:

• Articulation therapy. You'll work on articulating sounds and words more clearly. Your therapist may use games to make it fun.
• Oral motor therapy. Your therapist will work on the muscles around your mouth with exercises to help with speaking or swallowing.
• Language intervention therapy. This type of therapy can help when you have a speech delay or language disability.
• VitalStim therapy. Your therapist may use electrical stimulation around your neck. This approach can help if you've had a stroke leading to problems with eating, swallowing, drinking, or speaking.
• Lee Silverman speech therapy (LSVT). This approach can help with vocal control, volume, and facial expressions. Your therapist may use it if your issues aren't related to your speech ability.
• Modeling techniques. Your therapist may repeat what you say back to you correctly or add in extra words. They'll offer plenty of praise and feedback to help with speech problems.

Speech pathologist vs. speech therapist

You might hear SLPs called speech pathologists or speech therapists. But they are the same thing. Either refers to a health care provider who helps with problems related to speech, communication, or swallowing.

What Conditions Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Treat?

SLPs provide therapy for people with hearing loss, children with developmental delays, and people with communication and swallowing problems. They treat disorders such as:

Speech disorders

These conditions make it difficult to produce sounds. Some examples include:

• Apraxia: When the brain has trouble directing the movements of the muscles used to speak
• Articulation disorders: The inability to form certain sounds, such as “th” or “r”
• Stuttering: When the flow of speech is broken by pauses and repetition
• Resonance disorders: Caused by an obstruction such as a cleft palate
• Dysarthria: Weakness in the muscles used in speech, caused by brain injury

Language disorders

These may be receptive (difficulty understanding language) or expressive (difficulty making oneself understood by others). Some examples are:

• Aphasia: Difficulty speaking or understanding others because of damage to the brain
• Auditory processing disorder: When the brain has trouble understanding the meaning of sounds

Cognitive-communication disorders

Usually, any brain injury that causes problems with memory, attention, organization, or reasoning, cognitive-communication disorders can make it difficult for a person to speak, listen, read, or write. Causes of cognitive-communication disorders include traumatic brain injury, stroke, or dementia .

Social-communication disorders

These conditions make it hard to communicate socially: greeting, asking questions, taking part in conversations, and talking in ways that are appropriate for the situation. Difficulty with social communication can be caused by autism spectrum disorder or events such as a traumatic brain injury.

Swallowing disorders

Sometimes called dysphagia, swallowing disorders are problems with eating and swallowing. Symptoms include coughing or choking during or after eating, food leaking from the mouth, taking much longer than normal to finish meals, weight loss, dehydration, and frequent pneumonia.

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists hold a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Along with classes in the assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders, these programs include at least 375 hours of clinical experience.

After graduation, a 1-year clinical fellowship (or medical training period) is required, with a minimum of 1,260 hours of work under the supervision of a certified SLP. Then the candidate must pass an exam to become certified as a speech-language pathologist.

Where Do Speech-Language Pathologists Work?

You can find speech-language pathologists in many different places. Settings include:

• Assisted living facilities
• Business or work settings
• Military bases
• Rehabilitation centers
• Long-term care or skilled nursing facilities

Reasons to See a Speech-Language Pathologist

If you or a loved one experience any of the following problems, it might be a good idea to seek out a speech-language pathologist.

Difficulty communicating after an injury or illness

Speech therapy can help some people regain the ability to express wants and needs, build relationships, carry out daily tasks, and succeed in school or at work. 

Difficulty eating after an injury or illness

Swallowing therapy can strengthen the muscles used in eating, help adults relearn swallowing coordination, and teach ways to reduce the risk of aspiration (accidentally inhaling food particles).

Feeding issues in infants and children

Babies and toddlers with swallowing disorders may have a pattern of fussiness at mealtimes, avoiding certain food textures or temperatures (called sensory aversions ), congestion or vomiting after eating, or gagging during meals. Feeding therapy can teach chewing, sipping, and swallowing, overcome sensory aversions, and help children learn to eat independently and enjoy mealtimes.

Delayed speech development

If you’re concerned that your child might not be speaking or understanding speech at a level appropriate for their age, talk with your child’s doctor. They can refer you to a speech-language pathologist if your child needs to be evaluated. If a child does have a speech or language disorder, getting therapy early can help.

Speech-language pathologists work in many different places to help people of all ages when they have problems related to communication, speech, or swallowing for any reason. If you or a loved one is having trouble in any of these areas, ask your doctor if they'd recommend you get speech therapy to help.

Speech-Language Pathologist FAQs

• What happens during speech therapy?

Speech therapists treat many different problems that may be caused by many different conditions. They also use many different techniques and tools. What happens during your speech therapy session will depend on the problems you need help with. Ask your doctor or speech therapist what you can expect.

• How long do you need speech therapy?

That depends. Some people may need speech therapy for a few weeks, while others may benefit for months or even years. It depends on what you need speech therapy for. It also can depend on how much time you put into practicing the exercises or other skills your speech therapist recommends.

• How well does speech therapy work?

Speech therapists go through a lot of training and learn how to use methods that are based on evidence they work. One study of kids with a speech or language problem showed that 6 hours of speech and language therapy over 6 months helped. Another study suggests more variable outcomes after a stroke. How well speech therapy works for you will depend on the condition it's treating. It isn't a cure for any disorder, but it can help you with issues that affect your everyday life and ability to interact with people or eat. Ask your doctor or speech therapist how much they think it can help in your case.

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The Benefits of Speech Therapy

What to expect, frequently asked questions.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help you with speech, language, and swallowing. They provide speech therapy to children and adults who may have speech or language disorders.

People with certain medical conditions may also benefit from speech therapy. Medical conditions that may cause speech or swallowing impairment include traumatic brain injury , stroke (brain damage due to a blood vessel blockage or bleed), and dementia (decline in memory and thinking functions).

This article looks at the various uses for speech therapy, what to expect during a session, and the techniques involved in this type of therapy. 

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

Speech therapy can help with a variety of conditions.

Speech Disorders

Speech therapy may help with speech disorders like:

• Stuttering : Stuttering may involve repeating parts of words, prolonging words, or struggling to get out certain words. You may be more likely to have a stutter if you have a family history of stuttering.
• Apraxia : This motor speech disorder makes it difficult to move the tongue and lips to make sounds required for speech. In some cases, people with apraxia cannot speak at all. Causes for this disorder include brain tumors, dementia, stroke, and any other condition that causes brain injury.
• Voice : Voice disorders can be temporary or permanent and make it hard to speak. Chronic voice disorders include chronic cough, vocal fold paralysis, vocal polyps (growths on the vocal cords), and spasmodic dysphonia (vocal cord spasms).
• Dysarthria : People with this speech disorder have muscle weakness that makes it difficult to talk. They may slur or mumble their words. Dysarthria can happen due to brain injury or chronic degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease .

Language Disorders

A language disorder ( aphasia ) is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to read, write, speak, or understand speech or other modes of communication. 

Someone with this type of disorder may struggle to:

• Use incorrect words for things
• Say complete sentences 
• Understand what other people say
• Understand jokes
• Read or spell 

Brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and degenerative disorders that affect cognitive function can all cause aphasia.

Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Feeding and swallowing disorders can occur in both children and adults. A feeding disorder involves trouble with eating, sucking, drinking from a cup, or chewing. The specific term for swallowing disorders is dysphagia . Children or adults with dysphagia have trouble swallowing food or drink. 

Problems swallowing or feeding may or may not be related to a medical condition. Conditions that may cause a swallowing or feeding disorder include:

• Cleft palate or cleft lip
• Asthma and other breathing issues
• Heart disease
• Premature birth
• Nervous system disorders
• Reflux 
• Muscle weakness 
• Sensory issues
• Autism  
• Behavior problems
• Certain medications

Speech therapy begins with an evaluation to assess your difficulties and whether any structural issues contribute to your speech, language, feeding, or swallowing problems. An evaluation may involve a standardized test to help determine what you most need help with. Informal conversations may also help figure out your needs. 

A speech-language pathologist will then work with you to help improve your ability to speak, converse, or swallow. This may involve:

• Educating you on how to do certain things like articulating or pronouncing sounds
• Teaching you language skills
• Providing you with educational materials
• Giving you exercises to help strengthen your muscles 
• Giving you exercises that help you breathe better
• Participation in group therapy sessions 

You should also expect to practice the skills and exercises you learn in speech therapy sessions at home. Your speech-language pathologist may provide you with workbooks, worksheets, or virtual apps for at-home practice.

Speech Therapy for Adults

Depending on the reason you’re seeking out speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist may:

• Help you learn to move your muscles correctly to make sounds if you have apraxia or dysarthria
• Teach you how to use your breath to speak louder if you have dysarthria
• Help you learn to manage stuttering by teaching you to lower stress levels in certain situations
• Help you strengthen your mouth muscles to make it easier to swallow and eat if you have a feeding or swallowing disorder due to a brain injury or disease

Speech Therapy for Children

A speech-language pathologist’s approach will depend on the child. When working with a child who has a feeding or swallowing disorder, they might focus on:

• Strengthening the muscles of the mouth
• Helping the child with chewing
• Encouraging the child to try new food and drink
• Changing food texture to make it easier to swallow food 
• Helping with sensory issues related to food

Other skills a speech-language pathologist may work on with a child include:

• Language complexity : For example, they might teach words like "and" and "or" to connect ideas within sentences.
• Conversation skills : This may include role-playing to help the child with socialization and improve their read of social cues. 
• Vocabulary : They may use games or storytelling to help build the child’s vocabulary. 
• Phonological awareness : This recognition of the sounds that make up words is an important skill for reading. The SLP may work on helping the child identify sounds and rhymes in words to build this skill.

Healthcare professionals will also test your child’s hearing to see if hearing loss may be contributing to language and speech issues.

If you or your child is getting speech therapy from a qualified speech-language pathologist, you might wonder how likely it is that you’ll see improvement in speech, language, or feeding. 

Results will depend on the individual. It’s also essential to follow the exercises, tips, and strategies provided by the speech-language professional. Regular visits and keeping up with practice activities and exercises make it more likely to see an improvement in yourself or your child. 

A speech-language pathologist works with children or adults who have speech, language, or feeding and swallowing disorders. Typically the first session will involve an evaluation to determine the areas that are causing you the most problems. 

From there, they may teach you exercises and strategies to improve your speech, language, or ability to swallow and eat. 

A Word From Verywell

Think you or your child would benefit from speech therapy? Get in touch with your primary healthcare provider and ask for a recommendation. You can also use the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA)  Find a Certified SLP Tool . 

Not all children develop at the same rate, but if your child has issues understanding language, doesn’t use gestures, or doesn’t seem to be learning new words, you might consider having them evaluated by a speech therapist. 

While this may depend on the individual and the cause of speech-related problems, research suggests that speech and language therapy can significantly improve speech and language issues.

One example of a typical speech therapy technique is articulation therapy. This technique teaches the person to make specific sounds, sometimes by showing them how to move their mouth or tongue.

A language delay is when a child has difficulty in speaking and understanding speech that is unusual for their age.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stuttering .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Apraxia of speech in adults .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Voice disorders .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dysarthria .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Aphasia .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Feeding and swallowing disorders in children .

Brainline. Speech therapy .

Understood for All. What is speech therapy .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Languages and speech disorders in children .

Broomfield J, Dodd B. Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial . Int J Lang Commun Disord . 2011;46(6):628-640. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00039.x

Nemours Children's Health. Speech-language therapy .

By Steph Coelho Steph Coelho is a freelance health and wellness writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience working on content related to health, wellness, mental health, chronic illness, fitness, sexual wellness, and health-related tech.She's written extensively about chronic conditions, telehealth, aging, CBD, and mental health. Her work has appeared in Insider, Healthline, WebMD, Greatist, Medical News Today, and more.