Official Therapist Blog

Speech Language Pathologist - Rated in Top 20 Careers by Career Builder

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 01.05.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist

During this rough economy, choosing to start a new career can be a tough decision to make. However, there are a number of jobs in the health care field, and in physical therapy specifically, that are showing above average employment growth and job stability. Speech Language Pathology, for example, was recently named one of the top 20 careers to “work less, earn more” by Career Builder. According to Career Builder, speech language pathologists, also called speech pathologists or speech therapists work an average of 37.5 hours a week and earn over $53,000 annually. A Speech Pathologist working as a travel therapist can earn an even greater annual salary, averaging over $77,000, as well as free private housing accommodations, health insurance, and other travel therapy job benefits.

Speech therapists diagnose speech and communication difficulties and then develop specialized plans of treatment for each patient. They work with patients whose difficulties stem from learning or developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, stroke, brain injury, or any number of other congenital, developmental, or acquired problems. Speech therapists can find speech language pathology jobs in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, or other specialist practices.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster than average growth rate for speech pathologist employment, but there are a number of educational and licensure requirements required for speech therapists. Most speech pathology jobs require a master’s degree, and some states require that that degree be from a school accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Required courses include, among others, physiology, anatomy, and acoustics. Additional requirements for speech language pathology licensure include a passing score on the national speech pathology test, over 300 hours of supervised clinical experience, and nine months of postgraduate professional clinical experience. Speech therapists working in educational settings may have additional requirements based on the state’s Department of Education.

For more information about beginning a career in speech language pathology, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. To find travel speech pathology jobs or other travel therapy jobs, visit Travel Force.