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Job outlook for speech and language specialists in the United States
Speech and language specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected speech and language specialist job growth rate is 21% from 2018-2028.
About 34,000 new jobs for speech and language specialists are projected over the next decade.
Speech and language specialist salaries have increased 8% for speech and language specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,791 speech and language specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 25,162 active speech and language specialist job openings in the US.
The average speech and language specialist salary is $62,320.
Are speech and language specialist jobs in demand?
Speech and language specialist job and salary trends over time
Speech and language specialist jobs over time
Speech and language specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,791 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,816 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,968 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,776 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,660 | 0.00% |
Average speech and language specialist salary over time
Speech and language specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $62,320 | $29.96 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $61,267 | $29.46 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $60,020 | $28.86 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $59,324 | $28.52 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $57,829 | $27.80 | +1.7% |
Speech and language specialist jobs by state
Most common states for speech and language specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 268 | 20% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 119 | 19% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 261 | 14% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 607 | 9% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 89 | 9% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 230 | 7% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 200 | 7% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 151 | 7% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 56 | 7% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 545 | 6% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 426 | 6% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 379 | 6% |
| 13 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 292 | 6% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 229 | 6% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 118 | 6% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 63 | 6% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 58 | 6% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 50 | 6% |
| 19 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,927 | 5% |
| 20 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,147 | 5% |
Most common cities for speech and language specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $56,574 |
Speech And Language Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of speech and language specialist experts
University of Florida
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Idaho State University
Ohio State University
Mercy College
California State University - Sacramento
Willamette University
University of Kentucky
Ohio State University
Ohio State University
La Sierra University
Kent State University
University of North Texas
New York University
Adelphi University
New York University
University of Iowa
University of Iowa
Laurie Gauger Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Clinical Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Florida
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Laurie Gauger Ph.D., CCC-SLP: With the significant changes in the makeup of the US population, knowledge of a second language and language issues surrounding second language acquisition will be sought after skills in CSD. Other skills that will be important include being able to use telepractice and artificial intelligence in the assessment and intervention of individuals with communication disorders. I believe the need for skilled clinicians who are experienced in all three of these areas will continue to increase over the next 5+ years.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laurie Gauger Ph.D., CCC-SLP: I think the main thing is to be open to new clinical and educational experiences. There are a range of clinical and educational environments that graduates in CSD can work in. I would encourage new graduates to think about their interests and their strengths and weaknesses when deciding on their first job. Now is the time to consider new clinical and educational environments, even some that are different from the clinical placements you completed in graduate school. You would want to make yourself aware of all the possibilities and explore the kinds of jobs that are available. And remember, if your first job isn’t all you hoped for, there are lots of other possibilities to move on to.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Laurie Gauger Ph.D., CCC-SLP: This goes along with my answer to the first question. To maximize earning potential it is important to be flexible and open to the diverse range of clinical environments available to graduates of CSD. The need for SLPs and audiologists will continue to increase in the next 5+ years and so should salaries. Being open to all types of work environments will give the new graduate the best options for higher salaries. Typically, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and private practices pay the most, but it is important to check out all options because of various benefits that are associated with different job settings. There are even traveling positions for SLPs that pay very well.
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Kristy Weissling: Science and technology. It is likely that we will see large advances in our understanding of learning, recovery, and social science in the next 3-5 years. It will be important that people beginning their career keep up to date with new discoveries especially related to AI.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kristy Weissling: My advice is to see yourself as a glass half full. Some individuals default to feeling that they are not ready, they see themselves as an empty glass. Some people see themselves as full of new knowledge and skill, but there is still much to learn. You won’t know everything you need to know, but you will know some things you need to know. Focus on using what you do know to enhance the communication of the people you have been tasked to see.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Kristy Weissling: I think that employers are attracted to people who can identify their particular skill sets. If you have a strength, market it. For example, if you have a passion and experience in working with autistic children, use your interview and application materials to demonstrate how you can add to the organization's mission through a specific skill set. I always encourage students to get as many experiences as they can that help them stand from others. While there are many jobs in the field of speech pathology, finding the exact setting you want, for example an acute care setting, in a particular geographical location may take time. This is where volunteering for and marketing your experiences can be helpful.
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Jessi Hardy MS, CCC-SLP: Give yourself grace when learning as you enter the workforce. Realize that it can be from 'misses' that your career will experience some of its best lessons. It's a marathon, not a sprint; be sure self-care is part of your regimen early on in your career. We give invaluable care to others but we cannot do so unless we first care for ourselves.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jessi Hardy MS, CCC-SLP: Virtual Reality and other integrative or experiential technology; cutting-edge use of instrumental measurement tools to add quantitative results to existing trends which foster qualitative measurements in assessment; and new and exciting ways to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in treatment are some of the upcoming exciting growth areas with CSD fields I can imagine on the horizon.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jessi Hardy MS, CCC-SLP: Achieving your potential in salary is a strategic process. Some methods I believe might increase odds include engaging in continuing education professional development; participating in research development in your specialty area(s); knowing everything widely but a few things deeply (positioning yourself professionally so you offer both 'diversity and depth' of practice); and finally, be confident and do your research for your geographical location, the company you are hiring on with, and the setting you are entering. Compensation varies drastically by practice area in CSD fields.
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Sarah-Grace Heller: Romance language studies set a graduate apart as unique if they know how to talk about what they have gained. Anecdotally, students who say they got into graduate programs and jobs in many different fields because it made them stand out in a stack of seemingly identical applications. Having competencies in more than one language is a significant advantage for careers in education, translation, and international business.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Sarah-Grace Heller: For success, students need to be prepared to talk about their transferable skills: intercultural competency, the ability to listen, respect, and connect people from different cultural backgrounds, tolerance for ambiguity earned through the humbling process of learning a new language, the ability to manage in new places and cultures, an understanding of how languages break down into grammatical units and use patterns, observation and critical analysis skills, curiosity, etc.
Dawn Cotter-Jenkins
Clinic Director and Externship Coordinator, Speech-Language Pathologist, MA CCC-SLP, MSHIMercy College
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Dawn Cotter-Jenkins: The first rule of thumb is to always question the first offer and have in mind your counteroffer criteria. Keep in mind that you may not get a starting salary commensurate to a seasoned certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), but you can confirm that increases in salary are customary upon certification and/or licensure and that annual increases based on merit, or years of experience are available. In addition to these monetary options, an assessment of the resources and benefits of the job should be considered. If you have to buy your own materials and don't have medical insurance, then the financial compensation should be counterbalanced to that. Good luck, may you get all that you deserve!
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dawn Cotter-Jenkins: As you enter the field of speech-language pathology, you have invaluable hands-on experiences under your belt and a fresh knowledge base to build on. If you remember that this is a service field and not a know-it-all field, then the best advice for most situations comes from the stoic adage that you have two ears and one mouth so listen twice as much as you speak. You will be listening to your clients, patients and their caretakers, and to your clinical fellowship mentor so that you can address their needs and meet their expectations. This is not to discount your newly developed clinical instincts, but instead, it is to recognize that you are a lifelong learner and everyone you meet will teach you something. You need to know what they want and expect so that you can provide the correct solutions by asking probing questions and helping them exactly where they need you.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dawn Cotter-Jenkins: The future of speech-language pathology is heading towards technological advancement in many ways. Therefore, the skill of technological aptitude will be increasingly necessary. This does not negate the personal interactive skills that a clinician has, but instead technology will be used to advance the reach of the field and the effectiveness of the services we provide. Telehealth (telepractice) is growing and that is one way that more clients will be able to gain access to the services that we provide across the scope of practice. Additionally, the way that outcomes will be measured can become more precise and therefore more valuable, due to more objectivity. And there are constant advancements in technologies that provide a voice to those who would have traditionally been left without one. Technological innovation will provide options that were only seen in science fiction shows like Star Trek. It is to everyone's advantage that we embrace and learn how technology can help us to make ourselves more useful.
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Dr. Elisabeth D'Angelo Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CBIS: Be open to trying all aspects of the field: medical, school, early intervention/home based care…. If you are not sure where you want to end up or focus on and cannot decide between medical or school, adults or children, make sure you get as many experiences as you can. Ask your Clinical Fellowship Year supervisor a lot of questions: you are still learning. You are not expected to know it all when you are done with your Master’s Degree. In fact, the most successful speech-language pathologists know that they will always continue to learn!
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Elisabeth D'Angelo Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CBIS: Bilingualism is a great and important skill!!! Keep your skills up and if you are bilingual make sure you negotiate for payment for that skill! Early Intervention services and Medical Speech Pathology services will only grow as the population continues to age and survive injuries and illnesses, and we keep premature or medically-fragile babies alive. Learn about pediatric feeding and swallowing issues: seek continued education and mentorship! This is great area of need and only continues to grow! Many children have persistent issues in feeding and swallowing into their school careers: and we are the specialty that understands this function and can assess and treat. Always speak up! Advocacy is one of our most important tools!!! We can advocate for our patients, students, and policy changes!!! You are a communication specialist and you are speaking for those who cannot!
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Elisabeth D'Angelo Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CBIS: Be open to negotiating. Know the salary ranges in your area. Ask speech pathologists what they make. Look at the benefits: can be a very big part of your compensation with 401K matching, employer paid insurance, potential for increases in salary and responsibility. However, be aware that many agencies that have excellent pay, may require you to move around in settings (i.e. not stay in one school or part-time in a school and part in a clinic, but no consistency). Per diem work is very lucrative but without benefits, so if you work in the schools and work on the weekends a little or during the summers as per diem, you can make quite a bit of extra salary. Or, you can do tele-practice for an agency after school hours from home. If you want to work in the schools, many of the districts have sign-on bonuses or student loan payment programs.
Erica Duncan
Willamette University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erica Duncan: As the increase of technology in language learning and communication continues, being proficient in digital tools and platforms is essential. Understanding and navigating cultural nuances, being able to adapt to changing contexts, including remote work, hybrid work models, and evolving language learning methodologies, will be highly valued.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Erica Duncan: Negotiating is important and shows that you've done your research. Think about either an advanced degree or continued professional development. These can both increase your value in the job market and potentially lead to higher-paying opportunities. Continuously updating your skill set can make you more valuable to employers, current and future. Also, highlight your achievements, skills, and contributions during job interviews and performance evaluations.
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Kyle Shernuk: Many employers take for granted that someone can speak, read, and/or write a language, so it is important to remind them...
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kyle Shernuk: In general, I would encourage EALC graduates to think broadly about the possibilities of their degree...
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Kyle Shernuk: Students with EALC degrees will need to do at least two things to remain competitive in the coming years...
Nels Rogers Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director Max Kade German House and Cultural CenterUniversity of Kentucky
Germanic Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Nels Rogers Ph.D.: Look for opportunities with international companies and government. Global corporations and governments need highly skilled workers and tend to reward those that are flexible thinkers and can contribute to their missions.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nels Rogers Ph.D.: Using language at a high level to work between cultures. Being sensitive to different groups and their interests. Increased cultural awareness and professionalism. Skills that can't be replicated by AI.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Nels Rogers Ph.D.: Using language at a high level to work between cultures. Being sensitive to different groups and their interests. Increased cultural awareness and professionalism. Skills that can't be replicated by AI.
Janice Aski
Professor of Italian and Director of the Center for Languages Literatures and CulturesOhio State University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Janice Aski: As working environments diversity, graduates will need to have the skills associated with intercultural competence. Interculturally competent people are able to shift their cultural perspective so that their own culture is not the center of their reality; they are able to understand, respect and take into consideration other cultures and cultural perspectives; they are flexible, adaptable, and tolerate ambiguity as they work to understand interactions. They use these skills to communicate appropriately and effectively. Those who have learned another language have worked toward mastering these skills by having to navigate complex contexts in another language, in which they are not as confident and cannot express themselves as they can in their native language. World language learners overcome obstacles in communication and cultural misunderstanding that people who have not studied a language have not, and therefore enter their professional life with a unique set of skills.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Janice Aski: By knowing how to talk about the skills you have developed through your work at university. There are skills that do not translate directly from the name of a major/minor or certificate. Learn to communicate these skills.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Janice Aski: Students graduating with majors and minors in a world language have so many skills that they have developed during their studies in a new language. I often see students not leveraging these skills in interviews and on their resumes. Through the Center for Languages Literatures and Cultures we offer a workshop in which we explain to students what these skills are and how to talk about them in interviews and how to put them on their resume as more than just a line at the end under ‘languages spoken’. See the next answer for what some of these skills are.
Zhiguo Xie
Associate Professor of Chinese LinguisticsOhio State University
Linguistic, Comparative, And Related Language Studies And Services
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Zhiguo Xie: Language majors need to explore ways to translate their linguistic skills into more actionable skills.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Zhiguo Xie: 1. Show your prospective employers how a language major background can boost your overall cultural awareness and adaptability.
2. Combine language skills with subject knowledge and make the combination your unique selling point.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Zhiguo Xie: a. Inter-cultural competency
b. practical problem solving
c. effective communication
Joanna Stimmel Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Teaching and German Studies Program Coordinator, Pepperdine universityWhat general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Joanna Stimmel Ph.D.: Don't limit yourself to, and instead think beyond, traditional careers such as second language teaching or translation. Understand that one is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as close to being bilingual as possible.
When preparing your resume, do emphasize specific skills acquired while completing the German degree: communication skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, dealing with abstract concepts, and enhanced understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.
Look for opportunities in government, business, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, and other fields where a degree in German can provide a competitive edge because one can communicate in a second language. Even in the globalized world where English is the lingua Franca of business and technology, knowing another language allows one to participate more effectively and responsibly in a multicultural world. Foreign languages expand one's worldview and open the door to all aspects of cultures in other parts of the world.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joanna Stimmel Ph.D.: Don't limit yourself to, and instead think beyond, traditional careers such as second language teaching or translation. Understand that one is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as close to being bilingual as possible. When preparing your resume, do emphasize specific skills acquired while completing the German degree: communication skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, dealing with abstract concepts, and enhanced understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature. Look for opportunities in government, business, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, and other fields where a degree in German can provide a competitive edge because one can communicate in a second language. Even in the globalized world where English is the lingua Franca of business and technology, knowing another language allows one to participate more effectively and responsibly in a multicultural world. Foreign languages expand one's worldview and open the door to all aspects of cultures in other parts of the world.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Joanna Stimmel Ph.D.: As markets expand and the trend toward globalization continues, the demand for bilingual and multilingual speakers will likely increase. Studying a modern language degree helps one develop good oral and written communication skills, and will also enable one to improve their effectiveness in gathering, assessing, and interpreting information. Even as access to AI-based translation and interpretation is increasing, being able to lead and participate in discussions conducted in foreign languages is a tremendous asset. Many language degrees, including the German Studies Program at Pepperdine, offer a year of studying (and sometimes) working abroad. Such experience not only offers the promise to increase the student's proficiency in the language, but it also literally opens new worlds for them. Spending a year abroad while working toward the German degree helps the students adapt to new surroundings and in the process makes them more culturally aware and sensitive to the minutiae of intercultural understanding. In an increasingly global jobs market, these skills are highly valued by employers.
Carlos Parra
Chair, Department of World Languages Director, ESL Program Coordinator, ACA Study Abroad Member, ACA Board of DirectorsLa Sierra University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Carlos Parra: In the next 3-5 years, the field of Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is poised to undergo significant transformations, influenced by technological advancements and the increasing importance of global communication. Digital literacy will become indispensable, as the demand for online content and digital media in multiple languages rises. Graduates will need to be proficient in using digital tools for translation, content creation, and language teaching. Additionally, skills in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) will be highly valuable for those aiming to increase the visibility of multilingual content on the web. Another area of growing importance is computational linguistics, which combines language studies with computer science; understanding the basics of this field can open up opportunities in tech companies developing language processing tools and applications. Equally important will be the emphasis on intercultural communications skills. As businesses and organizations become more global, the ability to not only communicate but also effectively negotiate and collaborate across cultural boundaries will be extremely important. This includes a deep understanding of cultural sensitivities, practices, and non-verbal communication style to diverse audiences will be key in fostering successful international relationships. Sustainability and social responsibility are also becoming central to global discourse, requiring professionals to integrate these values into their work. Graduates should be prepared to contribute to projects and initiatives that address global challenges, leveraging their language skills and cultural insights to make a meaningful impact.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Carlos Parra:
Maximizing your salary potential at the start of your career, especially within the field of Romance Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, involves strategic positioning and continuous skill development. Initially, it's essential to research and target sectors that highly value multilingual and cultural competencies and are known for offering competitive salaries. Fields such as international law, global finance, tech, and consulting are increasingly seeking professionals who can navigate multicultural environments effectively. Tailoring your job applications to highlight how your language skills can solve specific problems or meet the needs of potential employers in these industries can set you apart. Additionally, acquiring certifications in your language of expertise, such as the DELE for Spanish or the DALF for French, can provide tangible proof of your proficiency levels and make you a more attractive candidate.
Beyond just the job search strategy, negotiating your starting salary and benefits package is crucial. Arm yourself with the information on industry salary standards using resources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Salary insights, or professional associations related to your field. This knowledge will empower you to negotiate more confidently. Don't shy away from discussing salary early in the interview process to ensure alignment between your expectations and potential employer's budget. Consider the entire compensation package, including bonuses, benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Investing in further education, such as obtaining a master's degree in a specialized area or certification in project management, digital marketing, or another complementary skill, can also significantly enhance your salary potential over time. Continuous learning and adapting to market needs will not only increase your value but also provide leverage for salary increases and promotions as you progress in your career.
Dr. Geoffrey Koby Ph.D.
Full ProfessorKent State University
Department of Modern & Classical Language Studies
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Dr. Geoffrey Koby Ph.D.: You’ll never be done learning your foreign language! This applies whether you’re a foreign language teacher, a translator, or an interpreter—plan on lifelong learning. This means keeping in touch with changes in the language and culture of your chosen foreign culture, and ideally frequent visits to keep your skills sharp. Remember that learning a foreign language is not “one and done”—like any skill, it has to be practiced, and that’s best done in the foreign country. You need to be practicing with native speakers.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Geoffrey Koby Ph.D.: All foreign language careers will be affected by Artificial Intelligence; foreign language teachers will have to be informed about AI and how to restrict its use—students can’t learn a language if they’re always getting the answers from AI. Translators and interpreters will have to be skilled in using AI and have foreign language skills that are stronger than AI so that they can correct its mistakes. And it will be necessary to keep pointing out the risk that unedited, unreviewed AI translations cause to any organization.
Stacy Nunnelee
Speech Language Pathology Clinical Supervisor, Senior Lecturer, Director of Undergraduate StudiesUniversity of North Texas
Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology
What skills stand out on Speech And Language Specialist resumes?
Stacy Nunnelee: For audiologists and speech-language pathologists, the first essential skill is the level of education. An employer is going to confirm the education and certification that our major students have first and foremost.
What soft skills should all Speech And Language Specialists possess?
Stacy Nunnelee: As far as soft skills, our students need to enjoy working with people and need to enjoy being around people a lot. They will also need to have compassion and empathy for people with a variety of disorders and be comfortable if someone has trouble communicating.
What skills will help Speech And Language Specialists earn the most?
Stacy Nunnelee: Starting salaries don't vary, except from state to state and from different types of facilities (education, medical, etc.). But demonstrating good patient outcomes, being a good leader, and/or having good research and/or community outreach can be an asset to move up.
María Rosa Brea Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor; Director of Bilingual Extension ProgramNew York University
Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders
What skills stand out on Speech And Language Specialist resumes?
María Rosa Brea Ph.D.: Examples of advocacy for self and/or others within their own heritage or out of school experiences, insider's perspective with regard equity or inequity within dis/ability, multilingualism, racial, gender and other intersections OR understanding of own positionalities with regard to ableism and linguistic justice.
What soft skills should all Speech And Language Specialists possess?
María Rosa Brea Ph.D.: Most clinical supervisors would say that openness to feedback and critical thinking are desirable soft skills. In the context of classrooms, and depending on how the students are taught, metacognitive awareness, learning flexibility, reflexivity, and criticality are all general foundational skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Speech And Language Specialists?
María Rosa Brea Ph.D.: In the field of SLP, writing and speaking, specifically academic (and 'standardized') English, is what is most important. (and within this, the expectation is that writing is academic, vocabulary is diverse, and that there is a deep bridging of content -to-practice)
What skills will help Speech And Language Specialists earn the most?
María Rosa Brea Ph.D.: It seems like the typical skills that people look for - productivity, fast turnaround and timeliness, academic language use (or 'professionalism') ... I feel like all of this is highly dependent on opportunities and the ability to have either sponsors or faculty who are culturally and linguistically responsive who know how to mentor.
Jason Rosas
Assistant ProfessorAdelphi University
Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Education and Health Sciences
What skills stand out on Speech And Language Specialist resumes?
Jason Rosas: Speech-language pathologists should highlight the telecommunications platforms they know, i.e., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. If working with school-aged clients, they should also highlight familiarity with web services such as Google Classroom, Moodle, Canvas, etc.
What soft skills should all Speech And Language Specialists possess?
Jason Rosas: All SLPs are competent communicators, and they will need this skill to negotiate remote scheduling and teaching parents/caregivers how to set up equipment for telepractice. It's important that SLPs practice patience and flexibility. Explaining procedures, training caregivers, and problem-solving difficulties that arise takes time. In addition, SLPs may need to deviate from routines and schedules, which requires significant flexibility.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Speech And Language Specialists?
Jason Rosas: SLPs must become competent in the components of their telecommunications equipment to ensure the most secure, stable, and fastest connections. Often SLPs are working with caregivers or parents who are not accustomed to problem-solving connections problems and why they may occur. Therefore, learning not only their own equipment but that of their clients becomes an additional technical skill. Lastly, therapy requires many trials to see optimal results. So planning engaging audio-visual activities for multiple clients with varied communication disabilities is very important.
What skills will help Speech And Language Specialists earn the most?
Jason Rosas: Everyone expects the quality of service to be maintained regardless of the service delivery method used. SLPs who demonstrate that they are effective and engaging via telepractice, as demonstrated in client goal outcomes, will see their stock rise!
What soft skills should all Speech And Language Specialists possess?
Kelly Bridges Ph.D.: Graduates from master's programs in speech-language pathology undergo extensive training in the discipline-specific skills needed to thrive in the clinical setting (performing oral-sensorimotor examinations, IPA transcription of speech, language sample analysis, using software to aid in voice analysis, performing bedside swallow evaluations, to name a few). However, one cannot understate the importance of the soft skills necessary to truly succeed as a future speech-language pathologist. If COVID-19 taught us anything, it was that we need to be flexible and adaptable in all that we do. Under non-pandemic circumstances, graduates should be prepared to go into a therapy session with a plan in mind, but equally prepared to throw that plan out the window and shift gears to best fit the client/patient's needs at that time.
It goes without saying that communication - interpersonal as well as written-are also critical in our field. Interpersonal communication skills will help build rapport not only with our clients and patients, but also with our colleagues. This leads to the obvious need for strong work ethic, positivity, and of course teamwork, as we are part of an interdisciplinary team in all settings.
Inherent to every good clinician is also having the ability to critically think in order to solve problems using content knowledge, theoretical foundations, as well as the knowledge about our patient/client and their specific needs. This last part brings us back to those interpersonal skills and the need to truly get to know our patients and clients. This involves learning who they are, their culture, their values, their goals-and making that central to the treatment plan. Finally, graduates should have the ability to self-reflect and always be open to growth as "lifelong learners."
What general advice would you give to a Speech And Language Specialist?
Jenny DiVita M.A. CCC-SLP: In this field, it is imperative that you have a mindset for continuous learning and that you prioritize your critical thinking skills. Given the increased prevalence of social media clinicians (e.g., speech-language pathology influencers), it will be your continued job to critically analyze information presented on these mediums to ensure you are following best practices. Similarly, with developments in AI such as ChatGPT, new grads will need to be skilled at thoughtfully utilizing these supports if they choose to do so. While these things can be immensely beneficial for productivity, it will be everyone’s continued responsibility to ensure they are using these in accurate and applicable ways.
What Speech And Language Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jenny DiVita M.A. CCC-SLP: Highlight any special experiences or trainings from graduate school and clinical practicums. Like many other careers in both medical and educational sectors, most facilities have structured pay scales with entry-level salaries varying based on geographical location and facility type.
What will help Speech And Language Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jenny DiVita M.A. CCC-SLP: To be open to any setting (hospital, school, outpatient/private practice) and to research each option to try to determine what best fits your priorities. And to recognize that you can always make a change regarding the setting you are in; just because you start in one setting does not mean you have to stay there for your entire career.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Speech And Language Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Jenny DiVita M.A. CCC-SLP: Speaking from a perspective of service provision for clinical speech-language pathologists, teletherapy services may become more permanent modalities pending insurance regulations (i.e., if insurance companies decide to continue coverage of teletherapy services after the pandemic-this is unknown still). This would allow for service provision to a much wider population, specifically for individuals in more rural areas. If teletherapy services continue to be a viable service modality, employers may be looking for applicants with direct experience, or those who are willing to provide services remotely and learn how to use different teletherapy platforms.