Career Opportunities
If you are interested in a people-oriented, helping profession, then speech-language pathology or audiology may be the choice for you. A speech-language pathologist works with the whole realm of human communication and its disorders. He/she may evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders.
According to The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), nationally, a speech-language pathologist earns a 9-10-month median salary of $66,000 (in the public schools), and an 11-12-month median salary of $80,000. An audiologist will evaluate and treat hearing and hearing loss and work to improve communication disorders that result from hearing loss. An audiologist earns a 9-10-month median salary of $83,843, and an 11-12-month median salary of $80,000. For more information, click on the following links:
Speech Language Pathology
Work sites for a speech-language pathologist
- Public and private schools
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Short-term and long-term assisted living facilities
- Community clinics
- Colleges and universities
- Private practice offices
- State and local health departments
- State and federal government agencies
- Home health agencies
- Adult day care centers
- Centers for persons with developmental disabilities
- Research laboratories
Future Outlooks for Speech-Language Pathology
Employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm). The field is expected to expand as the baby-boomer generation reaches middle age and older. The survival rate of premature infants and trauma and stroke victims who need assessment and treatment is improving with the increases in medical advancements. As the population who needs the services of a speech-language pathologist increases, so will the demand for jobs.
Audiology
Work sites for an audiologist
- Public and private schools
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Residential health facilities
- Community clinics
- Colleges and universities
- Private practice offices
- State and local health departments
- State and federal government agencies
- Industry with hearing conservation programs
- Long-term care facilities
Future Outlooks for Audiology
According to the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, Audiology is expected to expand over the next eight years. Many states now require that all newborns be screened for hearing loss at birth. Medical advances are improving the survival rates of victims of neurological disorders, the elderly, and premature infants. Because hearing loss is associated with the aging population, the increase in the elderly population will mean an increase demand for audiologists. More and more hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities are contracting with audiologist to provide services to their clients. This increase in need for audiologists will continue to grow in the future.