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Speech language pathologist vs graduate student clinician

The differences between speech language pathologists and graduate student clinicians 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 a graduate student clinician. Additionally, a speech language pathologist has an average salary of $62,340, which is higher than the $59,667 average annual salary of a graduate student clinician.

The top three skills for a speech language pathologist include patients, SLP and speech-language pathology. The most important skills for a graduate student clinician are motor speech disorders, patients, and autism.

Speech language pathologist vs graduate student clinician overview

Speech Language PathologistGraduate Student Clinician
Yearly salary$62,340$59,667
Hourly rate$29.97$28.69
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs25,61739,709
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a speech language pathologist do?

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.

What does a graduate student clinician do?

Graduate student clinicians can be a nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or doctor whose primary job is to work with patients and assist patients in managing their medical condition or illness. They perform varied duties and responsibilities that include maintaining a good relationship with patients, discussing the treatment progress to patients, and documenting patients' medical history. Additionally, they are also responsible for assisting physicians on non-surgical procedures, updating the medical information of patients on charts, and giving diagnostic tests.

Speech language pathologist vs graduate student clinician salary

Speech language pathologists and graduate student clinicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Speech Language PathologistGraduate Student Clinician
Average salary$62,340$59,667
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $89,000Between $41,000 And $85,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyNortheastern University-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between speech language pathologist and graduate student clinician education

There are a few differences between a speech language pathologist and a graduate student clinician in terms of educational background:

Speech Language PathologistGraduate Student Clinician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorCommunication Disorders SciencesCommunication Disorders Sciences
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Speech language pathologist vs graduate student clinician demographics

Here are the differences between speech language pathologists' and graduate student clinicians' demographics:

Speech Language PathologistGraduate Student Clinician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 8.9% Female, 91.1%Male, 9.7% Female, 90.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 4.4% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between speech language pathologist and graduate student clinician duties and responsibilities

Speech language pathologist example 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.
  • Act as primary liaison between administrative staff, rehabilitation managers, multidisciplinary team members and SLP staff.
  • Provide formal evaluation of communication, cognitive-linguistic, and swallowing deficits for both short term rehabilitation patients and long term residents.
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Graduate student clinician example responsibilities.

  • Provide evaluation and treatment of communication disorders including autism, language disorders, and phonology disorders for preschool-age children through adult.
  • Participate in development and execution of treatment activities targeting expressive/receptive language, articulation, fluency, and AAC.
  • Complete bedside swallow evaluations, dysphagia management, and speech-language assessment and treatment for individuals within the inpatient acute care department.
  • Learned to use ArcMap (GIS software) on site and utilize as primary tool for analysis.
  • Work with patients that have tracheostomy tubes, ventilators, alternative means for communication, traumatic brain injuries, and strokes.
  • Participate and present information to parents and professionals at various IEP meetings.
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Speech language pathologist vs graduate student clinician skills

Common speech language pathologist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • SLP, 17%
  • Speech-Language Pathology, 13%
  • Rehabilitation, 10%
  • Home Health, 8%
  • Patient Care, 6%
Common graduate student clinician skills
  • Motor Speech Disorders, 15%
  • Patients, 11%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Dysphagia, 7%
  • Traumatic Brain Injury, 5%
  • Group Therapy Sessions, 3%

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