As in many rehab industries, speech language pathologists are in high-demand. The employment rate for SLPs are expected to grow 9-15 percent through 2014. As ‘baby boomers’ continue to age, the possibility of neurological disorders and associated speech, language, and swallowing impairments increase. Opportunities should be particularly favorable for those with the ability to speak a second language, such as Spanish.
Besides the baby boomers, SLPs will be in demand in educational environments including elementary and secondary schools. Greater awareness of the importance of early identification and diagnosis of speech and language disorders increases the need of Speech Language Pathologists.
So what can an SLP expect to earn these days? The high-end earners of 2004 received on average $82,420. The median salary for an SLP is $52,410.
The opportunies are endless for SLPs. Between healthcare facilities and educational services, the demand for SLPS will remain steady for many years to come.