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The differences between speech language pathologists and audiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a speech language pathologist and an audiologist. Additionally, a speech language pathologist has an average salary of $62,340, which is higher than the $55,657 average annual salary of an audiologist.
The top three skills for a speech language pathologist include patients, SLP and speech-language pathology. The most important skills for an audiologist are patients, rehabilitation, and patient care.
| Speech Language Pathologist | Audiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $62,340 | $55,657 |
| Hourly rate | $29.97 | $26.76 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 25,617 | 1,121 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A speech-language pathologist specializes in diagnosing disorders in speech, language, and communication among children and adults. They are also responsible for devising and providing suitable treatments and therapeutic solutions that would improve a patient's condition. With each case varying from the rest, a speech-language pathologist must conduct an extensive assessment, research, analysis, and observation. Aside from providing treatments, a speech-language pathologist can also supervise other personnel in the same field, engage in various programs to share expertise, and provide consultations.
An audiologist is responsible for conducting hearing examinations with patients, diagnosing their hearing problems, and identifying treatment plans for immediate recovery. Audiologists operate advanced technologies and devices to determine the patients' hearing abilities and limitations. They also evaluate results accurately, respond to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and advise patients on proper ways to take care of their hearing balances. An audiologist must have excellent communication skills, especially extensive knowledge of the medical industry, to discuss the patients' condition properly.
Speech language pathologists and audiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Speech Language Pathologist | Audiologist | |
| Average salary | $62,340 | $55,657 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $89,000 | Between $25,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Northeastern University | Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a speech language pathologist and an audiologist in terms of educational background:
| Speech Language Pathologist | Audiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Communication Disorders Sciences | Speech-Language Pathology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between speech language pathologists' and audiologists' demographics:
| Speech Language Pathologist | Audiologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 8.9% Female, 91.1% | Male, 23.2% Female, 76.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 1.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 82.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 23% |