Speech Therapy Jobs

Employment growth is projected to be average for speech language pathologists. Growth is expected to be 11 percent from 2006 to 2016, pretty standard for the average occupation. As the baby boomer population continues to age, the possibility of neurological disorders and related speech, language, and swallowing impairments grows. Medical and technological advances are improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma and stroke victims. This will most likely lead to the need of assessment and treatment from a speech language pathologist.

In the education sector, employment will continue to grow along with the growth of elementary and secondary school students, including the number of special education students. Federal law guarantees special education and related services to all eligible children with disabilities. More people understand the importance of early identification and diagnosis of speech and language disorders in children. This will help increase the employment opportunities for speech language pathologists.

In the healthcare sector, limitations on reimbursement for therapy services may hinder the growth of speech language pathologist jobs in the short-term. However, the long-term demand for speech therapists should continue to grow as the number of people with disabilities or limited function drives demand for therapy services.

The number of speech language pathologists in private practice will increase since contract services continue to be demanded by hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities.

The result of growth in the speech therapy occupation and an expected increase in retirements in the future should produce outstanding job opportunities for speech language pathologists. Speech therapists with the ability to speak a second language, such as Spanish, will have more favorable job opportunities. Also, job prospects are expected to be quite favorable for therapists willing to relocate, especially to areas having difficulty attracting and hiring speech language pathologists.