The Speech Therapist Salary in 2018

Speech therapists, also known as speech or speech-language pathologists, work with adults and children with verbal communication skills due to delayed development, stroke, or injuries. In the US, speech therapists earn a median yearly salary of $74,680 per year – the highest in speech therapist salary all reviewed English-speaking countries and about 40 times greater than the one in India: Rs120,000 (US$1,877). Those working in Canada earn about C$72,000 (US$57,657) per year and Australia and New Zealand pay their speech therapists, also known as speech pathologists, with AU$60,678 (US$48,360) and NZ$60,000 (US$43,709) per year, respectively. Professionals employed in the UK earn about £30,000 (US$38,868) per year, while those in South Africa earn less than half of this amount – R207,333 (US$15,932) in the same time span.

How Much Does a Speech Therapist Make per Year?

Factors that Influence the Speech Therapist Salary

Salaries vary worldwide as reported by Payscale.com and professional organizations from some countries. Having the greatest impact on salary are experience, geographic region, and work setting are described in further detail for each country.

1. Geographic Area

Speech Therapist Salary in the US

A speech-language pathologist working in the United States earns a mean salary of $74,680 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While a Master’s degree is required to practice as a speech therapist, those with a Ph.D. can earn as much as 36% more. Hospitals and private clinics also often pay higher salaries.

Payscale, however, reports the national average for speech-language pathologists at $70,000 per year. The starting salary for professionals working in the US is $43,611 per year. Experienced speech therapists can, however, earn up to $101,806 per year. Bonuses can account for up to $5,217 of this amount and profit sharing opportunities – for another $1,526.

States with the Highest Employment Levels for Speech Therapists

Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Employment Levels for Speech Therapists

Non-metropolitan Areas with the Highest Employment Levels for Speech Therapists

States with the Highest Salaries for Speech Therapists

Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Salaries for Speech Therapists

Non-metropolitan Areas with the Highest Salaries for Speech Therapists

Speech Therapist Salary in Canada

The median income for a speech therapist or a speech-language pathologist in Canada is C$72,000 (US$57,657) per year, according to PayScale. A beginner in this field starts off at about C$41,996 (US$33,634) and will reach the aforementioned average after about 5 years in this field. Experienced professionals, however, can earn as much as C$106,546 (US$85,376) per year. The same source reports that most speech therapists working in Canada (55%) have less than 5 years of experience behind them and that about 41% don’t have any health benefit with their job.

Speech Therapist Salary in the UK

The National Careers Service of UK reports that speech therapists earn between £22,000 (US$28,500) and £28,000 (US$36,277) per year in their first years of service. At the same time, mid-career professionals take home between £26,000 (US$33,685) and £35,000 (US$45,348); therefore, we estimate the average around £30,000 (US$38,868). Highly experienced professionals can earn as much as £41,000 (US$53,120) per year here. Most professionals in this field work between 35 and 50 hours per week.

Prospects.co.uk, however, present the salaries of speech therapists as starting from band 5, with yearly earnings between £21,909 (US$28,387) and £28,462 (US$36,875). Mid-career therapists are considered specialists and fit into the band 6 pay scale, earning between £25,783 (US$33,404) and £34,530 (US$44,737). Highly specialized or experienced professionals can earn up to £40,558 (US$52,538) within band 7.

Speech Therapist Salary in Australia

The median salary for speech therapists working in Australia is AU$60,678 (US$48,360) per year according to PayScale. Beginners start off at about AU$58,175 (US$46,356) and gradually earn more until they reach the average after 5-10 years. Experienced professionals, however, can earn as much as AU$105,587 (US$84,136) per year. The same source reports 83% of the professionals working in this field in Canada have no type of health benefit with their job.

Speech Therapist Salary in New Zealand

Salaries for speech therapists in New Zealand vary depending on experience and work setting according to careers.govt.nz. However, most fit within the NZ$47,000 (US$34,244) – NZ$100,000 (US$72,860) range. Experienced professionals earn about NZ$70,000. Therefore, we can estimate the average somewhere at NZ$60,000 (US$43,709) per year.

Speech Therapist Salary in India

EmploymentNews.gov.in reports the median annual salary of speech therapists (also known as speech pathologists) is Rs5,000 per month, or Rs60,000 (US$937) per year. IndiaEducation.net, however, reports the starting salary at Rs5,000 per month and the average at around Rs20,000 per month, or Rs120,000 (US$1,877) per year. The same source mentions most speech therapists or audiologists working here reach this yearly salary after 2 or 3 years in the field when working in public hospitals. Those employed by private hospitals and clinics typically earn more.

Speech Therapist Salary in South Africa

PayScale reports the starting salary for speech therapists working in South Africa at R120,805 (US$9,285) per year. A professional in this field will reach the median salary of R207,333 (US$15,932) after about 5 years on the job. Experienced professionals can get to earn around R349,049 (US$26,827) per year, out of which bonuses can account for up to R7,300 (US$561). The same source reports 60% of the professionals employed as speech therapists in South Africa have no type of health benefit with their job.

2. Experience

Salaries for speech therapists vary worldwide with experience impacting income in every country. For example, in South Africa and India where speech therapy is a new and growing field, the difference between salaries for entry level and experienced professionals can be as high as 474%. The country with the lowest gap between starting salaries and income for those with experience in New Zealand, which still boasts a 67% increase to the speech therapist salary.

A speech therapist must complete an undergraduate degree, followed by graduate level education with a minimum of a Master’s degree. Requirements for employment as a speech therapist vary worldwide, as well as within some countries. For example, in the US, most states require licensure, but requirements vary by state. In the UK, speech therapists are required to continue professional development to remain qualified to continue practicing. It is the individual’s responsibility to research and understand the requirements in his or her country for employment as a speech therapist.

3. Industry

Speech therapists work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Those employed in private hospitals or clinics often earn higher salaries than those working in public healthcare systems or schools. Speech therapy is a female-dominated field with most countries reporting 90% or more of its professionals as female. However, most report low stress levels and high job satisfaction gained from helping others improve their verbal communication skills, as well as the decent speech therapist salary.

Here are the industries with the highest employment levels for speech therapists in the US:

And these are the industries with the highest salaries in the US:

Working Hours

Typical work hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Those employed in schools work hours corresponding with the school schedule, which also offers the benefit of school and holiday breaks. Full-time work is typically viewed as 37.5 to 40 hours per week. Part-time positions are also offered by some employers.

Bonuses and Benefit Packages

As is typical for healthcare positions worldwide, most speech therapists receive medical, dental and vision coverage. Those working in private clinics and hospitals are often eligible to receive a yearly bonus. In the UK, the NHS offers a supplement up to 16.5% of the speech therapist salary for working in high-cost areas in and near London, and the same goes for most metropolitan areas in all countries.

Job Outlook

Worldwide demand for speech therapists is strong and continues to grow with many countries indicating a short supply of experienced professionals. Moreover, an aging population has seen a rise in stroke victims who need speech and language therapy as part of their recovery. Additionally, many public schools have been unable to meet the needs of its area’s children, resulting in increased demand for services through private clinics and hospitals.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 21% increase in job growth from 2014 through 2024 and careers.govt.nz states that the New Zealand government is recruiting experienced speech therapists from other countries to meet its country’s need.

Conclusion

Speech therapy is within the healthcare field, and while salaries are lower than some other highly skilled professional positions, the years of training and stress levels remain lower in comparison. Speech therapists earn solid incomes in all countries and future job outlook remains strong with all countries reporting demand that is expected to meet or exceed the number of professionals in the field.