School Speech-Language Pathologist

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

O*NET definition of Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127) · Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127) naming each level as required to be hired, 26 respondents, O*NET survey August 2022. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology. All states require that speech-language pathologists be licensed. Licensure requirements vary by state but typically include clinical experience and passing an exam.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Speech-Language Pathologists”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

1. Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.4.9
2. Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.4.9
3. Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.4.8
4. Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.4.8
5. Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.4.8
6. Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.4.7
7. Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.4.7
8. Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.4.6
9. Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.4.5
10. Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.4.5

The 10 most important of 17 core tasks for Speech-Language Pathologists, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2022.

13,321 school districts in the registry. Regular public school districts in the NCES Common Core of Data (charter-only districts are not included). The 10 largest by teachers (fte):

Full lists by state: