Speech-Language Pathologists
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.
BLS SOC 29-1127 · O*NET-SOC 29-1127.00 · BLS 2025–2035 · O*NET 31.0
Median annual wage, 2025
$97,870
Projected change, 2025–2035
16.6%
2025–2035 annual average openings
12,500
AI exposure
High
Editorial analysis
AI can listen to speech. Therapy depends on listening to the person.
Speech recognition and language technology give speech-language pathologists an unusual set of new tools. AI can help analyze speech samples, track pronunciation or fluency patterns, generate customized practice material, support augmentative communication, and provide patients with structured practice between therapy sessions.
More practice outside the therapy room
One promising role for AI is extending therapy rather than replacing it. A patient might receive immediate feedback during home exercises, while the clinician reviews patterns later and adjusts the treatment plan. That creates more information about progress than an occasional appointment alone can provide.
Yet speech and language are deeply connected to cognition, development, hearing, culture, anatomy, social interaction, and emotion. A system that detects a speech difference does not automatically know its cause or what goal is appropriate for that individual.
- Assessment data can become richer and easier to analyze.
- Practice exercises can be customized quickly.
- AI-supported communication devices may become more capable.
- Diagnosis, therapeutic relationships, family coaching, swallowing care, and complex treatment planning remain specialized human work.
Labor-market picture
Two measures, different questions
These measures offer two different ways to understand the occupation: BLS projections show how national employment may change over time, while relative AI exposure highlights where tasks may intersect with AI-related capabilities. Read them with the work profile and your local context to decide what deserves closer investigation.
Employment
- Employment, 2025
- 193,400 jobs
- Projected employment, 2035
- 225,500 jobs
- Projected change, 2025–2035
- 32,100 jobs (16.6%)
Relative AI exposure
BLS category: High. This is a relative task-exposure classification, not a forecast of employment change, automation, wages, or worker replacement.
Relative AI exposure · High
Work profile
Representative tasks
These task statements come from O*NET 31.0. They are source facts, not labels assigned by the AI exposure measure.
- 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.
- 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.
- Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- 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.
- 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.
- Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
Skills that matter
Skills in the source profile
Importance uses O*NET's 1–5 scale. Level uses its 0–7 scale. Select a skill to see its source definition and reported values.
Technology and tools
These technology records come from O*NET and show software or tools reported in the occupation profile. They describe work context, not a required checklist for every employer.
- Music or sound editing software
- Medical software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
Preparation
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- Related experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
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Source provenance
Labor-market and exposure facts: bls-ep-2025-35. Work profile: onet-31.0. Verify release details on the Sources page.