Schools & medical
Speech-Language Pathologist
Giving people back the ability to be understood.
Typical pay
$70k-$105k
How you get in
Master's in speech-language pathology plus CCC-SLP
Outlook
Strong; shortages in nearly every state
Average openings
50/100Fewer openings per worker than the average job, and the field is growing.
JobPOVs index, calculated from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025-2035 for Speech-language pathologists. It measures how many openings arise each year relative to the size of the field — not how many people apply. BLS does not publish a saturation figure.
SLPs evaluate and treat speech, language and swallowing disorders in children and adults. School-based work follows the academic calendar; medical settings deal with strokes, head injuries and swallowing safety.
A day in the life
7:45a – 4:00p · 8 hours 15 min
- 7:45aPrep materials for the day's sessions
- 8:30aBack-to-back therapy sessions, mostly small groups
- 11:00aEvaluate a new referral
- 12:30pLunch, often an IEP meeting
- 1:30pAfternoon caseload
- 4:00pDocumentation, progress reports, parent contacts
How to get in
Master of Speech-Language Pathology
Duration
6 years total
Cost
$40,000-$120,000 for the master's
Credential
CCC-SLP plus state license
- Complete a bachelor's in communication sciences or a leveling program
- Get into a master's program — admission is the hardest step
- Complete clinical practicum hours
- Finish a paid clinical fellowship year, then earn the CCC-SLP
Career changer with leveling coursework
Duration
1 year leveling, then the master's
Cost
$8,000-$25,000 leveling plus the master's
Credential
CCC-SLP
- Hold a bachelor's in any field
- Complete post-baccalaureate leveling coursework in communication sciences
- Apply to master's programs
- Follow the same practicum and fellowship path
SLP assistant first
Duration
2 years
Cost
$8,000-$25,000
Credential
SLPA certification
- Complete an SLP assistant program
- Work under a licensed SLP at $40k-$55k
- Confirm the field fits before committing to the master's
- Not all states recognize the SLPA role, so check yours
What people love
- · Persistent nationwide shortage means real leverage
- · School calendar or medical setting — very different lives
- · Private practice is genuinely viable
- · Deeply meaningful outcomes
What wears people down
- · Master's degree required, and programs are competitive
- · Caseloads in schools are frequently overloaded
- · Paperwork rivals the therapy time
- · Clinical fellowship year is paid below full rate