Career Outlook

How Many People are Speech-Language Pathologists?

Over 181,000 speech-language pathologists are currently certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association; over 2800 are licensed in the state of Connecticut. 60% of certified speech-language pathologists work in educational facilities, 34% are employed in health care facilities and 7% are employed in nonresidential health care facilities including home health, private practice offices and speech and hearing centers.

Earnings Potential for Speech-Language Pathologists 

The U. S. Bureaus of Labor Statistics reports median pay for a Speech-Language Pathologist is $89,290.

Employment Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, employment of speech-language pathologists is expected to grow by 18 percent over the next decade, much faster than the average for all occupations, because:

• As the members of the baby-boom generation continue to age, the possibility of neurological disorders and associated speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing impairments increases.
• Medical advances also are 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 of students with special education needs.
• Greater awareness of the importance of early identification and diagnosis of speech and language disorders in young children will also increase employment.
• Opportunities should be particularly favorable for those with the ability to speak a second language, such as Spanish.
• SLP is ranked 10th in the 2024 ratings of "Best 100 Jobs" by U.S. News and World Report.