How long does it take to be a speech-language pathologist?

It takes about six to seven years to become a speech-language pathologist. This time includes the time it takes to complete the required undergraduate and graduate courses for speech therapists and the postgraduate clinical hours needed.

Is speech pathologist a good career?

Yes, being a speech pathologist is a good career. Speech pathologists rank themselves in fourth place in the best health care jobs. The top reasons why working as a speech pathologist is a good career choice are that it pays well, has an excellent work-life balance, and has a high level of job satisfaction in their work to help others.

What is a speech language pathologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. HyeKyeung Seung Ph.D.

A speech language pathologist is a healthcare professional who assesses, diagnoses, and treats communication and swallowing disorders. They work with patients who have difficulties with speech sounds, language, voice, fluency, and social communication skills as well as those with cognitive-communication impairments. Speech language pathologists also address swallowing and feeding problems from developmental or acquired disorders. They create treatment plans, provide therapy sessions, and collaborate with healthcare providers to improve functional communication abilities and quality of life.

What general advice would you give to a speech language pathologist?

Dr. HyeKyeung Seung Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, California State University, Fullerton

Do not lock yourself into a setting and/or population. As you gain clinical experience and taking CEUs, you will have different views regarding settings (public school, hospital, or private practice clinic as well as different clinic populations). If you want to work in hospital ultimately, you can start working at private practice or public school for CF and a few years. During that time, you can work per diem on weekend or summer to maintain skills in hospital while taking CEUs. By building your skill sets, you put yourself in a better position to look for hospital position.

ScoreSpeech Language PathologistUS Average

Salary

4.9

Avg. Salary $62,340

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.5

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.36%

Asian 4.47%

Black or African American 4.82%

Hispanic or Latino 9.47%

Unknown 3.78%

White 77.11%

Gender

female 91.10%

male 8.90%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress level

5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a speech language pathologist?

Pros

Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people's lives
Variety of work settings including schools, hospitals, and private practices
Competitive salaries and benefits
Ability to work with a diverse range of clients
Flexible work schedules and part-time options available

Cons

Emotionally demanding work dealing with individuals with communication disorders
Challenging and often unpredictable work environment
Can be physically demanding with long periods of standing or bending
Requires significant amount of documentation and paperwork
May require working with difficult or uncooperative patients

Key steps to become a speech language pathologist

Explore speech language pathologist education requirements

Most common speech language pathologist degrees

Bachelor's

51.2 %

Master's

46.2 %

Associate

1.6 %

Start to develop specific speech language pathologist skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	18.76%
SLP	17.19%
Speech-Language Pathology	12.69%
Rehabilitation	9.94%
Home Health	8.10%

Complete relevant speech language pathologist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New speech language pathologists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a speech language pathologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real speech language pathologist resumes.

Research speech language pathologist duties and responsibilities

Plan and provide speech therapy services to preschool and elementary school children with autism, communication disorders and developmental disabilities.
Offer speech therapy services in schools k-12 grade.
Perform tasks prescribe, direct, and supervise by ASHA certify speech language pathologist.
Diagnose, assess and provide treatment in private practice for kids of all ages presenting a language delays.

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