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Occupation Profile
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Occupation: Speech-Language Pathologists Change Occupation
State: Washington Change State
Profile Content: (content listed below) Modify Profile Content
Wages  |  Employment Trends  |  Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities  |  Tasks & Activities
Tools & Technology  |  Education & Training  |  Related Occupations
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SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS: WASHINGTON

Occupation Description

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.


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Speech-Language Pathologists
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State and National Wages

Location Pay
Period		 2008
10% 25% Median 75% 90%
United States Hourly $19.83 $24.20 $30.25 $38.28 $47.70
Yearly $41,200 $50,300 $62,900 $79,600 $99,200
Washington Hourly $22.04 $25.54 $29.81 $34.82 $39.12
Yearly $45,800 $53,100 $62,000 $72,400 $81,400
Annual Wages for Speech-Language Pathologists

United States - $99,200 United States - $62,900 United States - $41,200 Washington - $81,400 Washington - $62,000 Washington - $45,800
  • High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
  • Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
  • Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Hourly Wages for Speech-Language Pathologists

United States - $47.7 United States - $30.25 United States - $19.83 Washington - $39.12 Washington - $29.81 Washington - $22.04
  • High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
  • Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
  • Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Washington Occupational Wages

State and National Trends

United States Employment Percent
Change		 Job Openings 1
2008 2018
Speech-language pathologists 119,300 141,400 +19% 4,380
Washington Employment Percent
Change		 Job Openings 1
2006 2016
Speech-language pathologists 2,440 2,950 +21% 100
1Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net replacement.

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Washington State Employment Security Department, Labor Market and Economic Analysis Branch

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Speech-Language Pathologists.

Knowledge:

  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Skills:

  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities:

  • Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Speech-Language Pathologists.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Speech-Language Pathologists.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

  • Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written and oral tests and special instruments.
  • Communicate with non-speaking students, using sign language or computer technology.
  • Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.
  • Conduct lessons and direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems.
  • Conduct or direct research on speech or hearing topics, and report findings for use in developing procedures, technologies, or treatments.
  • Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.
  • Consult with and refer clients to additional medical or educational services.
  • Design, develop, and employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices and strategies.
  • Develop and implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, and inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
  • Develop individual or group activities and programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.
  • Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities.
  • Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques and strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
  • Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, and medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, and swallowing disorders.
  • Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, including sign language, lip reading, and voice improvement.
  • Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
  • Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
  • Participate in conferences, training, continuing education courses, or publish research results to share knowledge of new hearing or speech disorder treatment methods or technologies.
  • Provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited English proficiency.
  • Supervise and collaborate with therapy team.
  • Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, and breathing mechanisms.
  • Use computer applications to identify and assist with communication disabilities.
  • Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid and billing records and caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.

Generalized Work Activities:

  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • advise other staff on speech or hearing topics
  • analyze medical data
  • analyze patient activity
  • analyze speech or hearing data
  • collect clinical data
  • communicate technical information
  • conduct patient assessments
  • document medical prognosis
  • identify needs of communication-impaired persons
  • make decisions
  • make presentations on health or medical issues
  • observe patient condition
  • obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
  • prepare patient reports
  • recommend treatments for speech or hearing problems
  • treat medical condition of patient
  • use counseling techniques
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use knowledge of medical terminology
  • use medical diagnostic techniques
  • use research methodology procedures in health care

Source: Occupational Information Network: Speech-Language Pathologists.

Tools and Technology

Speech-Language Pathologists  View Detailed Report

Tools:

  • Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged - Infrared switches, Jellybean switches, Sound switches, Touch switches
  • Sound measuring apparatus or decibel meter - Electroglottographs EGG, Laryngographs
  • Stroboscopes - Diagnostic stroboscopes, Digital video stroboscopy systems, Video stroboscopes
  • Tablet computers - Dynamic display devices, Tablet computers
  • Voice synthesizers for the physically challenged - Augmentative communication devices, Therapeutic voice synthesizers

Technology:

  • Analytical or scientific software - Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE, Language analysis software, Signal analysis software, Speech analysis software
  • Computer based training software - Text to speech software
  • Medical software - Avaaz Innovations AphasiaMate, Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System IVANS, Biofeedback software, Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor software, ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources
  • Music or sound editing software - Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
  • Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel

Source: Occupational Information Network: Speech-Language Pathologists.

Education and Training

Occupation: Speech-Language Pathologists
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Master's degree
Related Instructional Programs:

  • Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
  • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other
  • Communication Disorders, General
  • Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Distribution of Educational Attainment
Occupation Percent of employees aged 25 to 44 in the occupation whose highest level of educational attainment is
Less than high school diploma High school diploma or equivalent Some college, no degree Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Doctoral or professional degree
Speech-language pathologists 0.2% 0.9% 0.5% 0.7% 8.5% 86.6% 2.6%
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners 0.6% 2.6% 3.6% 8.3% 18.9% 17.8% 48.2%
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 1.2% 10.4% 15.4% 15.4% 20.7% 11.6% 25.2%
Total, All Occupations 10.7% 27.6% 20.6% 8.9% 19.4% 8.3% 4.5%

Find colleges, training schools and instructional programs for this occupation.

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WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov/

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

Related Occupation Profiles
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Web Resources

The following resources are related to occupations in the job family
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners
Health Technologists and Technicians
Other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners
Health Technologists and Technicians
Other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations


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