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Speech language pathologist vs speech pathologist

The differences between speech language pathologists and speech pathologists 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 speech pathologist. Additionally, a speech pathologist has an average salary of $62,640, which is higher than the $62,340 average annual salary of a speech language pathologist.

The top three skills for a speech language pathologist include patients, SLP and speech-language pathology. The most important skills for a speech pathologist are patients, language, and speech.

Speech language pathologist vs speech pathologist overview

Speech Language PathologistSpeech Pathologist
Yearly salary$62,340$62,640
Hourly rate$29.97$30.12
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs25,61722,779
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
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 speech pathologist do?

The job of speech pathologists is to diagnose, treat, and prevent speech, social communication, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders in both children and adults. They are responsible for providing aural rehabilitation for people with hearing impairment and hearing loss, and alternative and augmentative systems for people with severe language comprehension disorders such as progressive neurological disorders and the autism spectrum. Speech pathologists may also work with individuals without language, swallowing, or speech disorders, but are eager to know how to communicate more effectively.

Speech language pathologist vs speech pathologist salary

Speech language pathologists and speech pathologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Speech Language PathologistSpeech Pathologist
Average salary$62,340$62,640
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $89,000Between $43,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNevada
Best paying companyNortheastern UniversityMayo Clinic
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between speech language pathologist and speech pathologist education

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

Speech Language PathologistSpeech Pathologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
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 speech pathologist demographics

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

Speech Language PathologistSpeech Pathologist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 8.9% Female, 91.1%Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between speech language pathologist and speech pathologist 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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Speech pathologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage staff development activities including sensory integration and IEP goal writing.
  • Provide speech and language therapy under the supervision and guidance of assign SLP supervisor.
  • Administer and interpreting diagnostic evaluations on children with a variety of speech and language disorders in an out-patient facility.
  • Develop specific treatment plans and family education plans for rehabilitation patients in anticipation of discharge home or to appropriate rehabilitation facilities.
  • Participate as a member of the acute care and outpatient rehabilitation team in diagnostic and therapeutic services to neurologically impair adults.
  • Develop policies and procedures to secure Medicare and Medicaid provider numbers.
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Speech language pathologist vs speech pathologist skills

Common speech language pathologist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • SLP, 17%
  • Speech-Language Pathology, 13%
  • Rehabilitation, 10%
  • Home Health, 8%
  • Patient Care, 6%
Common speech pathologist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Language, 17%
  • Speech, 17%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%

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