Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, and support individuals of all ages with speech, language, communication, and swallowing challenges. They work to enhance communication abilities and ensure safe and effective eating and drinking. To become a speech-language pathologist, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, gain supervised clinical experience, and meet certification and state licensure requirements. The field offers strong demand across healthcare and educational settings, along with opportunities to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.
Communication plays a central role in how people express themselves, build relationships, and navigate daily life. However, some individuals experience challenges due to developmental conditions, injuries, or neurological disorders that affect their ability to speak, understand language, or swallow. Speech-language pathologists work to support these individuals, helping them improve communication and overall quality of life.
Read on to learn more about how to become a speech-language pathologist, what they do on a daily basis, and their employment outlook.
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?
Speech-language pathologists work with individuals across the lifespan to evaluate, diagnose, and support communication and swallowing
challenges. They help people strengthen their communication abilities and overall quality of life. Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, and support individuals of all ages with speech, language, communication, and swallowing challenges. They work to enhance communication abilities and ensure safe and effective eating and drinking.
- Evaluate individuals who have difficulty speaking, understanding language, reading, writing, or swallowing
- Diagnose communication and swallowing disorders, including articulation, fluency, voice, and language issues
- Develop individualized treatment plans to improve speech, language, communication, or swallowing function
- Work with patients and families over time to monitor progress and adjust treatment strategies
- Provide care in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, private practices, and telepractice settings
What are the steps to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist?
Becoming a speech-language pathologist typically involves earning a bachelor’s degree, completing a master’s program, gaining clinical experience, passing a national exam, and meeting licensure requirements.
Step 1: Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
Begin with a bachelor’s degree, often in communication sciences and disorders or a related field, to build a foundation in speech, language, and hearing.
Step 2: Apply to an Accredited Master’s Program
Apply to an accredited speech-language pathology program and complete any required prerequisite coursework.
Step 3: Complete Graduate Coursework and Clinical Training
Graduate programs include advanced coursework and supervised clinical practicum in real-world settings.
Step 4: Pass the National Exam
Graduates typically take a national exam, such as the Praxis exam in speech-language pathology.
Step 5: Pursue Certification and State Licensure
Many professionals earn certification (such as the CCC-SLP) and meet state licensure requirements.
Step 6: Maintain Credentials and Continue Professional Development
Speech-language pathologists complete continuing education and may specialize in specific patient populations or settings.
What Education Do You Need to be a Speech-Language Pathologist?
Most roles require a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, typically built on undergraduate study in communication sciences and disorders or a related field.
Bachelor’s-Level Preparation
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field
- Coursework may include phonetics, anatomy of speech and hearing, language development, and child development
- Complete prerequisite coursework for graduate program admission
Graduate-Level Training
- Earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited program
- Study topics such as speech disorders, language disorders, swallowing disorders, and research methods
- Complete supervised clinical practicum working directly with patients
What Certifications and Licenses Do Speech-Language Pathologists Need?
After completing education and clinical training, speech-language pathologists must pass a national exam and meet state licensure requirements, and many also pursue additional professional certifications to expand their job opportunities.
Once aspiring speech-language pathologists have received a master’s degree or doctorate, they still need to earn an industry certification and licensure to practice in all 50 states. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) is the industry standard, and it requires a clinical practicum along with a graduate degree.
How Much Do Speech-Language Pathologists Make, and What is the Job
Outlook?
Speech-language pathology offers competitive salaries and strong projected job growth across healthcare and education settings.
Speech-Language Pathologist Salaries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for speech-language pathologists was $95,410 as of May 2024. The lowest 10% earned less than $60,480, and the highest 10% earned more than $132,850. Nursing and residential care facilities had the highest median annual salary at $106,500, followed by hospitals at $101,560, offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists at $98,470, and
educational services at $80,280.
Employment Outlook for Speech-Language Pathologists
According to the BLS, about 187,400 speech-language pathologists were employed in the United States in 2024. The agency projects employment in the field to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Much of that growth is expected in educational services, therapy offices, and hospitals.
How Can You Start Your Path to Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist?
Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to help you build the academic foundation needed to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and prepare for licensure. From there, you can take the next steps toward a rewarding career helping individuals strengthen communication and quality of life.
Sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Speech-Language Pathologists
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Apply for Certification in Speech-Language Pathology
Houston Chronicle, “Speech Pathologist vs. Speech Therapist”
SpeechPathology.com, “What Is the Difference Between a Speech Therapist and a Speech Pathologist?”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Speech-Language Pathologists