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Speech pathologist vs teacher

The differences between speech pathologists and teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a speech pathologist has an average salary of $62,640, which is higher than the $47,989 average annual salary of a teacher.

The top three skills for a speech pathologist include patients, language and speech. The most important skills for a teacher are ESL, handle scheduling, and kids.

Speech pathologist vs teacher overview

Speech PathologistTeacher
Yearly salary$62,640$47,989
Hourly rate$30.12$23.07
Growth rate21%4%
Number of jobs22,77971,918
Job satisfaction-4.14
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4042
Years of experience2-

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.

What does a teacher do?

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

Speech pathologist vs teacher salary

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

Speech PathologistTeacher
Average salary$62,640$47,989
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $89,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateNevadaMaryland
Best paying companyMayo ClinicKing Low Heywood Thomas
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between speech pathologist and teacher education

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

Speech PathologistTeacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorCommunication Disorders SciencesElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of Pennsylvania

Speech pathologist vs teacher demographics

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

Speech PathologistTeacher
Average age4042
Gender ratioMale, 11.9% Female, 88.1%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage6%9%

Differences between speech pathologist and teacher duties and responsibilities

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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Teacher example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with co-teacher to manage and co-teach curriculum to a large group.
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop social studies and geography curriculum.
  • Provide kindergarten readiness in approaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and introductory math skills.
  • Attend and participate in ESL professional development activities, conferences/workshops, curriculum/program planning, & special events and activities.
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Speech pathologist vs teacher skills

Common speech pathologist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Language, 17%
  • Speech, 17%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
Common teacher skills
  • ESL, 17%
  • Handle Scheduling, 15%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 4%

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