Speech Therapist Jobs: Salary, Credentials, and Where They're Hiring
Speech therapists work with people who have difficulty speaking, swallowing, or understanding language. Most jobs require a master's degree and a state license. Pay ranges from roughly $60,000 to $85,000 per year depending on location, setting, and experience, though some positions pay more. The field is growing faster than average, and openings exist in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, private practice, and telehealth companies.
To work as a speech therapist, you need a master's degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited program, a passing score on the Praxis exam, and a state license. Some states also require a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The path takes roughly six years total: four years for a bachelor's degree (in any field) plus two years for the master's program, plus time for licensing and exams.
Key Takeaways
- Speech therapist positions require a master's degree in speech-language pathology and state licensure; a bachelor's degree alone does not may have access to you to practice.
- Most jobs are in schools, hospitals, and private clinics, with growing demand in telehealth and home health agencies.
- Salary varies by state and setting, but school positions often pay less than hospital or private practice roles.
- The Praxis exam and state licensing process typically take three to six months after you finish your master's degree.
- Job boards specific to speech therapy, state licensing boards, and ASHA's career center list most open positions.
Where Speech Therapists Work and What Each Setting Pays
Schools employ the largest share of speech therapists. You work with children who have speech delays, stuttering, language disorders, or voice problems. School positions typically pay $50,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on the district and your experience. You follow a school calendar, so you have summers and holidays off. The trade-off is that caseloads are often large — 40 to 60 students per therapist — and you spend time on paperwork and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Hospitals and rehabilitation centers pay more: $65,000 to $85,000 per year. You work with adults recovering from stroke, brain injury, or surgery, and with children in pediatric units. Hours are often more structured than in schools, but you may work evenings or weekends. Many positions are full-time with benefits.
Private practice and contract work offer the highest pay but less stability. Self-employed therapists or those working for private clinics can earn $70,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on how many clients they see and what they charge. You handle your own scheduling, billing, and business costs. Some therapists work part-time in schools and part-time in private practice to balance income and schedule.
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities hire speech therapists to work with older adults. Pay is typically $60,000 to $75,000 per year. Telehealth companies are expanding rapidly and often hire speech therapists to work remotely, usually at $55,000 to $75,000 per year depending on the company and your caseload.
Education and Licensing Requirements
You must earn a master's degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). The program includes coursework in anatomy, phonetics, language development, voice disorders, and swallowing disorders, plus supervised clinical practice. Most programs take two years full-time; some offer part-time or online options that take longer.
After graduation, you take the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (test code 5331). The exam costs around $200 and covers assessment, treatment, and professional practice. You must pass it to move forward with licensing in most states. Passing scores vary by state; check your state's licensing board for the exact requirement.
Next, you apply for a state license through your state's Department of Health or Department of Education. Requirements vary: some states require only the master's degree and Praxis pass; others require 300 to 400 hours of supervised clinical practice beyond your degree. Processing takes four to eight weeks. A few states also require the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA, which requires passing the Praxis, completing a clinical fellowship year, and submitting documentation.
Once licensed, you must renew your license every one to three years (depending on the state) and complete continuing education hours — typically 10 to 20 hours per renewal period. Costs for renewal and continuing education range from $200 to $500 per year.
How to Find and Apply for Speech Therapist Positions
Job boards dedicated to speech therapy list most openings. ASHA's Career Center (careers.asha.org) posts positions nationwide and filters by state, setting, and job type. Speech Pathology Jobs (speechpathologyjobs.com) and TherapyWorks (therapyworks.com) are also widely used. General job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor have speech therapy sections; search "speech-language pathologist" or "SLP."
School districts post openings on their own websites and on state education job boards. Check your state's Department of Education website for a list of districts and their career pages. Many districts hire in spring for the following school year, so applications open February through April.
Hospitals and health systems use their own career portals. Search the hospital's name plus "careers" or "jobs." Staffing agencies that place therapists in hospitals and clinics also post openings; examples include Amedisys, Encompass Health, and Aveanna Healthcare.
Networking matters. Attend ASHA conferences or local speech-language pathology association meetings. Reach out to therapists already working in settings you're interested in. Many positions are filled through referrals before they're posted publicly.
What Employers Look for When Hiring
Your master's degree and state license are non-negotiable. Beyond that, employers want to see your clinical experience. If you completed your clinical fellowship in a school, a school district will likely hire you more readily. If your fellowship was in a hospital, hospital positions are easier to land. Many employers prefer candidates with one to two years of experience, but entry-level positions exist, especially in schools and underserved areas.
Bilingual skills — particularly Spanish — make you more competitive in many regions. Some employers offer signing bonuses or loan forgiveness for therapists who commit to working in rural or high-need areas.
Your resume should list your degree, license number, Praxis score, and any specializations (voice disorders, fluency, pediatrics, dysphagia). Include the number of clients you've treated and the types of disorders you've worked with. Employers also check references from your clinical supervisors.
Salary Comparison by State and Setting
| Setting | Typical Annual Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $50,000–$70,000 | Varies by district and state; higher in urban areas and states with higher cost of living |
| Hospitals | $65,000–$85,000 | May include shift differentials; benefits often strong |
| Private Practice | $70,000–$100,000+ | Highly variable; depends on client volume and rates charged |
| Nursing Homes | $60,000–$75,000 | Stable hours; lower caseload complexity than hospitals |
| Telehealth | $55,000–$75,000 | Remote work; growing sector; pay varies by company |
Salary also depends on your years of experience. Entry-level therapists (0–2 years) typically earn at the lower end of these ranges. After five years, you can expect a 10 to 20 percent increase. Advanced certifications or specializations (such as certification in autism or swallowing disorders) can add $3,000 to $8,000 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bachelor's degree before starting a master's program in speech-language pathology?
You need a bachelor's degree from any field, but your undergraduate coursework should include prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Most master's programs require these before admission. If your bachelor's is in an unrelated field, you may need to take prerequisite courses before applying, which adds time and cost.
Can I work as a speech therapist while pursuing my master's degree?
You cannot work as a licensed speech therapist without your degree and license. However, you can work as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) while in school. SLPAs support licensed therapists under supervision and typically earn $30,000 to $45,000 per year. Requirements for SLPA certification vary by state but usually require a high school diploma or associate degree and passing an exam.
How long does it take to get licensed after finishing my master's degree?
If you pass the Praxis on your first attempt and your state requires only the degree and exam, you can be licensed within two to three months. If your state requires a clinical fellowship year or additional supervised hours, add another 12 months. Processing times for state licensing boards range from four to eight weeks.
What's the difference between speech therapy and occupational therapy jobs?
Speech therapists focus on communication and swallowing disorders. Occupational therapists help people with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities perform daily activities like dressing, eating, and working. The education paths are different: speech therapy requires a master's in speech-language pathology; occupational therapy requires a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Both are licensed professions with different job markets and salary ranges.
Are there speech therapist jobs that don't require a master's degree?
No. To practice as a speech-language pathologist, you must have a master's degree and state licensure. However, you can work as an SLPA with less education, or pursue related roles like education coordinator or clinical supervisor at a therapy clinic, which may require only a bachelor's degree.