Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Your Fit

Income

$46K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

5.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant?

A Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) works under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist to support the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. They assist in the implementation of therapy plans and contribute to the maintenance of a productive therapy environment.

Sample job titles:

Communication Assistant, Speech Pathologist Assistant, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA), Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$32K per year	$38K per year	$46K per year	$58K per year	$68K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $3.45K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant do?

Work environment

SLPAs typically work in a variety of settings, including schools, private clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. The work environment is collaborative, often involving interaction with other healthcare professionals, educators, and families of clients.

Quick task list

Assists with speech-language therapy sessions as directed by the speech-language pathologist.
Prepares therapy materials and equipment.
Documents client progress and therapy session outcomes.
Performs clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining records.
Assists with speech and language screenings.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Speech Therapy: Assisting children with speech and language disorders.
Geriatric Communication Assistance: Working with elderly clients to maintain and improve communication skills.
School-Based Speech Assistance: Providing support in educational settings to children with speech and language challenges.
Rehabilitative Assistance: Helping individuals regain speech and language skills after injury or illness.
Bilingual Speech Assistance: Assisting in therapy for individuals in bilingual environments, requiring proficiency in more than one language.

Description

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants play a critical supporting role in the field of speech therapy. They work alongside licensed pathologists to provide therapy services, making treatment more accessible and efficient. SLPAs are involved in various aspects of care, including assisting with the development and implementation of treatment plans, preparing materials, and documenting client progress. They must have a solid understanding of speech disorders and therapy techniques, as well as strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with clients and their families.

This career is ideal for those who are passionate about helping individuals improve their communication abilities. SLPAs must be compassionate, patient, and attentive to the needs of clients who may range from young children to the elderly. The role requires excellent organizational skills, as SLPAs are often responsible for managing therapy materials and client records.

The demand for speech-language pathology services is expected to grow, partly due to increased awareness of speech and language disorders in children and the aging population's needs. This growth presents a positive job outlook for SLPAs, offering opportunities for a fulfilling career in a variety of settings.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the improvement of clients' communication abilities.
Working closely with speech-language pathologists and learning from their expertise.
Seeing tangible progress in clients' speech and language skills.

You might make a good Speech-Language Pathology Assistant if you are...

Interested in helping people overcome communication challenges.
Compassionate, patient, and have good listening skills.
Organized and attentive to detail, especially in preparing and documenting therapy sessions.
Able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of clients.
Interested in a collaborative healthcare role that offers ongoing learning opportunities.

Pros:

Rewarding work in improving clients' quality of life.
Opportunities to work in various settings and with diverse client groups.
Growing demand in the field, offering job stability.

Cons:

The role can be emotionally demanding, requiring patience and resilience.
Limited scope of practice as an assistant, requiring supervision by a licensed pathologist.
May involve irregular hours, especially in school settings.

How to become a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Typical education

The educational requirements for an SLPA usually include an associate degree or a certification program in speech-language pathology assistance, which generally takes about 2 years to complete.

High school preparation

Courses:

Health science and biology for foundational knowledge.
Psychology to understand developmental and cognitive aspects of speech and language.
Communication courses to develop effective interpersonal skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering with organizations that support individuals with communication disorders.
Participating in speech and debate clubs to understand various aspects of communication.
Shadowing professionals in speech-language pathology or related fields.

Preparation after high school

Enroll in an accredited SLPA associate degree or certification program.
Gain practical experience through internships or work-study programs in speech therapy settings.
Seek opportunities for additional training or certification, especially in specialized areas of interest.

More resources

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - Provides resources and information on becoming an SLPA.
SpeechPathology.com - Offers online courses and continuing education for speech-language pathology assistants.
The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) field - A resource for aspiring SLPAs, including information on education and career paths.
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Speech-Language Pathology Assistants - Offers detailed career information and job outlook for speech-language pathology assistants.
Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) - Information on certification requirements and standards in the field.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.