Speech Pathologists and Audiologists

Career summary

Speech pathologists treat language and speaking disorders. They are often called speech-language pathologists or speech therapists. Audiologists treat hearing disorders and balance problems. They work to prevent hearing loss.

Speech pathologists and audiologists have common tasks. When they get new clients, they ask them questions to identify their problems. They collect information and arrange for tests. They consult with other staff members to interpret test results. Speech pathologists and audiologists evaluate the information to decide how to treat clients. They monitor clients' improvement and revise plans as needed. They also keep records about clients.

Some speech pathologists and audiologists research new treatments and write reports about their findings. Others advise teaching and medical staff about preventing and treating hearing loss and speech disorders. Speech pathologists and audiologists take classes and attend conferences to keep up with new developments.

Speech pathologists

Speech pathologists evaluate clients' ability to understand and speak language. They check clients' hearing because poor hearing can affect the ability to learn speech. In addition, they check if muscles important for speaking are working. When they discover a physical problem in the structure of the mouth, pathologists may refer clients to doctors.

Once they understand the client's problem, speech pathologists begin treating them. For example, they may teach clients how to make specific sounds. They may also teach sign language or lip reading.

Audiologists

Audiologists use special instruments to test how well people can hear. They also check whether people can hear quiet sounds or high pitched sounds, because those are the hardest sounds to hear. Audiologists may recommend hearing aids or similar devices to improve clients' hearing. They fit clients with hearing aids. Audiologists work with doctors to determine if surgery is needed to help resolve a hearing problem.

Audiologists advise employers on preventing hearing loss on the job. They test noisy work areas and point out sounds that can cause hearing loss. They also recommend ways to protect workers from hearing loss.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Adult and Vocational Education Teachers
• Hearing Aid Specialists
• Naturopathic Physicians
• Occupational Therapists
• Optometrists
• Physical Therapists
• Physician Assistants
• Public Health Educators
• Recreational Therapists
• Social Workers
• University and College Teachers

Military careers

• Speech Therapists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to speech pathologists and audiologists.

• Interview and test clients for hearing and speech impairments.
• Interpret test results. May work with others on the health care team.
• Diagnose problems with hearing or speech.
• Examine and clean patients' ear canals.
• Develop and monitor treatment plans.
• Refer clients for further testing or medical treatment.
• Teach people how to make vocal sounds and how to improve general communication.
• Fit people for and help them adjust to hearing aids.
• Teach sign language and lip reading.
• Teach better control of speech muscles.
• Keep records of patients' progress.
• Research new technologies and treatments.
• May write reports and articles or speak at conferences.
• Take classes to update skills.
• Test noise at job sites. Recommend safety practices.
• Advise employers and community groups on hearing safety.

Common work activities

Speech pathologists and audiologists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Document and record information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Assist and care for others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Use computers
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform for or work with the public
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Evaluate information against standards
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Develop goals and strategies
• Teach others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Analyze data or information
• Think creatively
• Perform administrative tasks
• Process information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Coach others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, speech pathologists and audiologists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction with clients, family members, and other health care staff.
• On occasion may be placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or angry.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors.
• Are occasionally exposed to the diseases and infections of clients.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and accurate in testing speech and hearing problems and helping clients. Errors may cause clients not to progress.
• Repeat the same mental and physical activities.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time. Most work full time.
• May travel to visit clients in remote areas or to attend conferences and workshops.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Speech pathologists and audiologists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for speech pathologists and audiologists to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for speech pathologists and audiologists to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.

Skills and abilities

Speech pathologists and audiologists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Other programs of study to consider

• Early Childhood Education and Teaching
• Recreation Therapy
• Social Work
• Special Education

Training

To work as a speech pathologist, you typically need to:

• have a master's degree in speech pathology; and
• pass a licensing exam.

To work as an audiologist, you typically need to:

• have a doctorate degree in audiology; and
• pass a licensing exam.

Education after high school

Speech pathology programs are two-year graduate programs that award a master's degree. In a speech pathology program you learn anatomy, normal speech and language development, and the nature of speech disorders. You also learn to evaluate and treat speech disorders.

Audiology programs also grant a Doctor of Audiology (AuD). In an audiology program, you learn anatomy and physiology, physics, and genetics. You also study normal communication development, assessment and treatment, and rehabilitation.

On-the-job training

While completing your education, you work as an intern under the supervision of an experienced speech pathologist or audiologist.

Work experience

To get a license in some states or national certification, you must work in a clinic after graduation.

Military training

The military does not provide the initial training to become a speech pathologist or audiologist. However, it can provide job experience to those who have completed a master's degree in this field.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Child Development
• Psychology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require speech pathologists and audiologists to have at least a master's degree and a license. In addition, employers prefer people who can communicate well with clients. Employers also look for applicants who are patient, because client progress can be slow.

Tips

Classes in human anatomy and medical courses are helpful. Volunteer experience in public schools and clinics serving a variety of clients provides an excellent opportunity to understand the job duties and responsibilities of this occupation.

Licensing/certification

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists must be licensed by the State of Washington unless they are certified as an educational staff associate by the State Board of Education. Licensing requirements include:

• a master's degree from an accredited institution that includes clinical practicum experience;
• passing a national exam;
• answering personal data questions;
• minimum of 36 weeks of full-time, post-graduate professional work experience;
• four-clock hours of HIV/AIDS education; and
• payment of required fees.

Most employers already require this level of education and some may require doctoral degrees for entry-level audiologists. Audiologists must also carry a surety bond of $10,000 if they fit or dispense hearing instruments.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists who work in public schools must also pay for an initial Educational Staff Associate certificate from the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction . The certification process includes completion of a 30-clock hour course approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board. Those who do not already have a valid Washington Educational Staff Associate Certificate must go through a background check which includes digital fingerprinting. Digital fingerprints can be obtained at one of nine Educational Service District (ESD) offices. Each ESD may charge an additional processing fee. Fingerprints can also be obtained from law enforcement agencies or private fingerprinting services for an additional fee and submitted to the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Many employees join professional associations, which may have annual dues.

Both speech-language pathologists and audiologists must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education, including one hour of infection control, every three years. Certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association also is required in most work settings. 

For more information about state licensing, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Board of Hearing and Speech 
Customer Service Center
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
360.236.4700

#2/13/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Audiologists 
• Speech-Language Pathologists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

#In Washington, the average entry-level wage for audiologists is $5,612 per month ($32.38 per hour), while for speech-language pathologists, it is $4,820 per month ($27.81 per hour).

#Updated ES wage info 07.16 sd

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists working for public school districts in the State earn an average base salary of $56,419 per year.

#08.14 sd; updated ospi 2/27/14 lh. Updated OSPI & upper end of DOP wage as State has added another step (M) to pay scale, 4/7/15 cj; updated 08.16 sd, OSPI 4/6/16 lh. OSPI 4/3/17 cj. Removed State of WA wage 4/13/17 cj.

Pay varies by area of the country. In general, those who work in rural areas earn lower wages. Wages also vary by the worker's level of experience, education, and responsibility.

Benefits vary by employer. Those who work full time for schools and government agencies usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Nearly half of all speech pathologists work in schools. Most audiologists work in health care facilities.

Major employers:

• Schools
• Speech, language, and hearing clinics
• Hospitals
• Nursing care facilities

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be very strong. As the population ages, more people will need help dealing with hearing loss. Age-related impairments such as strokes will mean that more people will need help with hearing loss and speech impairments. Increased awareness of childhood speech and language disorders will also lead to more demand. Medical advances allow more children to survive premature birth and adults to survive strokes. Many of these patients need speech-language therapy.

Other resources

American Academy of Audiology 
11480 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 220
Reston, VA 20191
800.222.2336
703.790.8466

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 
2200 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
800.638.8255
301.296.5700

Council for Exceptional Children 
3100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22201-5332
888.232.7733

Explore Health Careers: Speech-Language-Hearing Overview 

International Hearing Society 

Voice and Speech Trainers Association, Inc. 

Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association 
5727 Baker Way NW Suite 200
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
1.877.460.5880

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupations

• Audiologists (29-1181.00) 
• Speech-Language Pathologists (29-1127.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Audiologist (076.101-010) 
• Speech Pathologist (076.107-010) 
• Voice Pathologist (076.104-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Speech Pathologist

Holland occupational clusters

• Investigative/Social/Conventional
• Social/Investigative/Artistic

COPSystem

• Service Professional