Speech teacher vs speech pathologist

The differences between speech teachers 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 teacher and a speech pathologist. Additionally, a speech pathologist has an average salary of $62,640, which is higher than the $57,086 average annual salary of a speech teacher.

The top three skills for a speech teacher include language, IEP and curriculum development. The most important skills for a speech pathologist are patients, language, and speech.

Speech teacher vs speech pathologist overview

	Speech Teacher	Speech Pathologist
Yearly salary	$57,086	$62,640
Hourly rate	$27.45	$30.12
Growth rate	5%	21%
Number of jobs	75,550	22,779
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age	43	40
Years of experience	2	2

Speech teacher vs speech pathologist salary

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

	Speech Teacher	Speech Pathologist
Average salary	$57,086	$62,640
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $98,000	Between $43,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	Islandia, NY	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Nevada
Best paying company	West Contra Costa Unified School District	Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry	Education	Health Care

Differences between speech teacher and speech pathologist education

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

	Speech Teacher	Speech Pathologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Communication Disorders Sciences	Communication Disorders Sciences
Most common college	Harvard University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Speech teacher vs speech pathologist demographics

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

	Speech Teacher	Speech Pathologist
Average age	43	40
Gender ratio	Male, 21.0% Female, 79.0%	Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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 Percentage	12%	6%

Differences between speech teacher and speech pathologist duties and responsibilities

Speech teacher example responsibilities.

Lead individualized and group therapy for elementary school children with language delays and articulation disorders.
Sound, lights and costumes.
Utilize principles of apply behavior analysis (ABA).
Direct annual talent show, fall drama, and spring musicals.
Help assist in a classroom for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Design PowerPoint presentation for workshop; rubric for evaluation of school plans.

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.

Speech teacher vs speech pathologist skills

Common speech teacher skills

Language, 24%
IEP, 8%
Curriculum Development, 7%
Classroom Management, 6%
Student Learning, 5%
Language Evaluations, 3%

Common speech pathologist skills

Patients, 18%
Language, 17%
Speech, 17%
Patient Care, 8%
Rehabilitation, 7%
Home Health, 6%

Speech Teacher vs. similar jobs

Speech Teacher related careers

Speech Teacher related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Education, Training, and Library Industry
Speech Teacher
Speech Teacher vs Speech Pathologist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs