do speech pathologist make more than nurses

Nursing Vs. Speech Pathologist Wages

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Salary of an Ambulance Nurse

What is the salary of a scrub nurse, respiratory therapist vs. registered nurse.

• Can You Be an Advanced Practice Nurse Without a Master's Degree?
• The Job Options With a Degree in Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists, or SLPs, are not doctors, but they are medical personnel who work with patients suffering from disorders that hamper their ability to communicate, such as speech impediments. Nurses are medical personnel who provide direct care to a wide variety of patients and can find work in almost every conceivable medical field.

Whether or not a nurse would make more per hour than a speech-language pathologist depends on the level and type of nursing practice. Further, nursing and SLP salary by state reflects the divergent cost of living across the country. The list of the fastest-growing healthcare jobs in the U.S. includes nurse practitioners and SLPs, as reported by CNBC in 2021, making both fields good career choices with attractive wages.

Pay for Speech-Language Pathologists

What do speech pathologists do? Their focus depends on work setting, but most find jobs in hospitals or schools where they diagnose and treat individuals with speech disorders. Speech-language pathologists generally need a master's degree before being licensed to practice.

As of 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported speech-language pathologists earned an average wage of ​ $38.01 ​ per hour, and half of all speech-language pathologists working in the United States made between ​ $29.79 ​ and ​ $48.18 ​ an hour.

Nearly half were employed in elementary and secondary schools, earning an average of ​ $36.37 ​ per hour. Those in healthcare who were employed in SLP jobs (hospital settings) averaged ​ $44.14 ​ per hour, while those working in private practice earned an average hourly wage of ​ $43.68 ​. Annual SLP salary by state ranged from ​ $63,300 ​ in South Dakota to ​ $102,650 ​ in California.

Wages for Licensed Practical Nurses

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (or LPN and LVN, respectively) typically have between six months and one year of postsecondary education. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they tend to make less than speech-language pathologists. As of 2021, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned an average of ​ $24.93 ​ per hour, according to BLS . Those employed in general hospitals averaged ​ $23.10 ​ per hour, while LPNs and LVNs working at physician's offices averaged ​ $22.57 ​ per hour.

Wages for Registered Nurses

Registered nurses, or RNs, usually have an associate degree or bachelor's degree in nursing, and they tend to make comparable wages to speech-language pathologists. As of 2021, the BLS reported that RNs earned an average of ​ $39.78 ​ per hour. Those employed in physician's offices averaged ​ $35.51 ​ per hour, while RNs working in general hospitals averaged ​ $40.88 ​ an hour and those employed by specialty hospitals averaged ​ $40.77 ​ per hour.

Advanced Practice Nurses

Advanced practice nurses, or nurse practitioners, are registered nurses who have gained additional education, usually a master's degree or doctorate. Advanced practice nurses tend to earn more than speech-language pathologists, as indicated by BLS data. For example, nurse practitioners overall averaged ​ $56.75 ​ per hour, with 50 percent of these professionals reporting salaries ranging between ​ $99,540 ​ and ​ $129,350 ​ per year. Salaries by state ranged from ​ $95,120 ​ in Tennessee to ​ $151,830 ​ in California.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Speech-Language Pathologists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
• CNBC: These Are the 11 Most In-Demand Health-Care Jobs of the Next Decade
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS: Speech-Language Pathologists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS: Registered Nurses
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS: Nurse Practitioners

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Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Guide

Speech-language pathologists specialize in evaluating and treating conditions that affect one’s ability to speak and swallow. Speech-language pathologists are also called speech therapists, or abbreviated as SLPs. Their work helps people improve and regain functions related to speech, language, vocalization, communication, swallowing, and more.  

In this guide, we’ll discuss the average salary, how to find the highest-paying speech therapist jobs, how to maximize your SLP pay, and more.  

This rewarding career path is needed in all 50 states, and demand is only projected to grow. Check out Trusted’s Speech-Language Pathologist Career Guide to learn how to get started in this rewarding career path. Now, let’s talk about speech and language pathologist salary.  

How Much Does a Speech Pathologist Make?

The average speech pathologist salary is $89,290 annually, or $42.93 per hour.  

• The highest-earning 10% of SLPs earn $129,930 annually or more, which is approximately $62.47 per hour.
• The lowest earning 10% of SLPs earn approximately $57,910 annually, equal to $27.84 per hour.  

What Type of Speech Pathologist Makes the Most Money?

Your speech-language pathologist salary will vary depending on the environment you work in. SLPs have the flexibility to work in a wide variety of healthcare settings. Currently, the highest-paid speech therapists work in:

• Civic and social organizations- $130,620 per year
• Home health care services- $121,410 per year
• Management- $112,110 per year
• Child care services- $109,110
• Skilled nursing facilities- $108,640

Here are even more types of speech pathologist work settings and the average salaries for each:

• Specialty hospitals- $105,830 per year
• General hospitals- $ 98,790 per year
• Healthcare offices- $96,540 per year
• Education and schools- $83,720 per year

Speech-language pathologists are skilled healthcare providers needed in a wide variety of clinical environments. Each work setting allows you to specialize in a certain area of speech therapy, allowing you to gain experience, grow your skillset, and increase your salary as a speech-language pathologist.

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Experience

To be a speech-language pathologist, you must have a master’s degree in speech pathology. Additionally, SLPs must be state-licensed and nationally certified through the American Speech-Langage-Hearing Association (ASHA).

What is a speech pathologist salary with a master’s degree? Since all speech pathologists hold master's degrees, the wages of master’s prepared SLPs are the same as those listed above. Here’s a brief review:

• The average speech pathologist salary with a master’s degree is $89,290.  
• The highest earning 10% of SLPs earn $129,930.
• The lowest earning 10% of SLPs earn $57,910 annually.  

On average, it can take six years or more to earn a master’s degree and get started in speech therapy. First, a bachelor’s degree is needed, which takes approximately four years. After that, your next step is a master’s degree, which takes an average of two years to complete.

How much does an SLP make as they gain experience?

As you gain experience in speech and language pathology, you can expect your salary to increase. The number of years worked in this field will translate to higher pay. Learning advanced skills, expanding your expertise, and moving into leadership and management roles are great ways to earn more.

What are the Top-Paying States for Speech-Language Pathologists?

The top-paying states for SLPs , by average yearly salary, are:

• California- $112,030 per year
• Washington, DC- $111,110 per year
• Colorado- $107,780 per year
• Hawaii- $106,790 per year
• New Jersey- $102,820 per year

SLP pay varies by geographic region and location. In general, areas of the country with higher costs of living pay more than areas with lower costs of living. Larger, urban cities tend to pay more than smaller, rural ones.

SLP Salary Range Considerations:

Many other factors affect speech-language pathologist pay, including work setting and location. Obtaining voluntary certification can unlock opportunities for career advancement, increase job mobility, and boost earning potential.

• The Speech-Language Pathology Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) is an additional certification that SLPs can obtain to showcase their dedication and expertise.  

Don’t forget that gaining experience, taking on additional responsibilities, growing your skills, and expanding into leadership or management roles are all great ways to increase your speech therapy salary in addition to certification.

What is the Job Outlook Like for SLPs?

Speech and language pathology has an impressive 19% projected growth rate over the next ten years! This is much faster than average compared to all professions, with an expected 33,100 additional speech therapists needed to meet demand by 2032.

As healthcare needs continue to grow, the demand for skilled and experienced speech therapists will only increase. Staff and travel SLPs will be needed to fill this gap, and becoming a travel SLP is one of the most effective ways to increase your speech therapist salary.

Travel SLP Salary

Trusted Health's current median travel speech therapist salary is $2130 weekly. Working at this rate for 50 weeks annually would net you approximately $106,500 annually!

Travel speech therapists are expert healthcare providers who can work in a wide range of SLP roles with minimal orientation and guidance. Consequently, travel SLP pay is often higher than SLP pay. Travel SLPs are experts in their field and can hit the ground running to ensure patients’ healthcare needs are promptly met despite regional staffing shortages.

Find a Speech-Language Pathologist Job with Trusted Health

Taking your skills on the road as a travel speech-language pathologist is a great way to maximize your earning potential! It is also an excellent way to see the United States, enjoy new experiences, and expand your speech-therapist career.

Trusted Health proudly offers the industry’s highest-paying travel SLP jobs, outstanding benefits, and unmatched clinical support. Becoming an allied health traveler is the start of the adventure of a lifetime, and Trusted Health is here for you every step of the way.

Get started by searching our current travel speech language pathologist jobs today!

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What Is a Speech Pathologist?

Also Known as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or Speech Therapist

• What They Do
• Conditions Treated

Training for Speech Pathologists

• When to See an SLP

A speech pathologist, also known as a speech therapist, is a healthcare professional who helps you improve your speech and communication if you have been ill, injured, or have a chronic disability. Speech pathologists may also be called speech-language pathologists (SLP).

Speech pathologists also work with people who have difficulty swallowing food or drink to help them stay safe while eating.

This article examines the important work that speech pathologists do as part of a rehabilitation team of professionals. You will learn what conditions they treat and when you should seek out the services of an SLP.

What a Speech Pathologist Does

A speech pathologist is a trained medical professional who works with patients who are injured or ill and are having difficulty speaking or swallowing. They work to prevent, assess, and treat these disorders in adults and children.

Speech pathologists help people communicate, and this may involve:

• Expressive communication : The ability to communicate verbally and nonverbally
• Receptive communication : The ability to understand verbal and nonverbal communications

Some speech therapists work closely with audiologists (healthcare professionals who treat hearing and balance problems) to ensure that you can hear and understand language correctly. Others work with otolaryngologists , also called ear, nose, and throat physicians (ENTs), to help patients swallow food and drink safely and to assist patients with oral motor function.

Common Specialty Areas

Some speech pathologists have a more generalized practice, while others have a more narrow focus on specific areas or problems such as:

• Social communication
• Voice and vocal hygiene
• Speech sound disorders

Some of the official certifications that a speech pathologist may receive include:

•  Intraoperative monitoring
•  Fluency disorders
•  Swallowing and feeding disorders
•  Child language disorders

Speech pathologists seeking specialty certification have to meet education, experience, and clinical practice requirements as established by independent specialty certification boards.

Where Speech Therapists Work

There are a variety of settings in which speech pathologists work. This may include:

• Schools: Speech therapists working in schools help children with speech disorders learn to overcome their communication challenges.
• Nursing homes: Speech therapists in nursing homes help patients with dementia or communication issues caused by other conditions like stroke learn communication strategies. They also work with staff on ways to help residents communicate more effectively.
• Hospitals: A speech pathologist working in a hospital may help diagnose and treat language communication problems and swallowing disorders in hospitalized patients. 
• Private practices: Speech pathologists may also work in private practices where they may specialize in one or more language problems or health conditions in specific populations.

Speech pathologists can also work as educators in colleges and universities, and they may be involved in research.

Conditions Speech Therapists Treat

Speech pathologists work with people of various ages and with a variety of conditions. They sometimes work with young children who are having problems speaking properly, or they may help older adults with cognitive communication (communication that is affected by memory, attention, organization, and problem-solving, which are examples of executive functioning ).

A stroke can cause damage to the part of the brain responsible for language and communication. Depending on the extent of the stroke, this loss of ability may be short-term or long-term. A speech pathologist can help someone who is recovering from a stroke regain their ability to speak and understand language.

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is a condition of the brain that affects how you communicate with others. It is caused by damage to the part of the brain responsible for language and can affect your ability to speak and understand what is being said.

Hearing Loss

A speech pathologist may work with other professionals such as audiologists and ENTs to help assess, manage, and treat someone with hearing loss. Some of the things a speech pathologist might do to help someone with hearing loss include evaluating the person's speech, helping them improve listening skills, and working with them to develop alternative communication strategies.

Vocal Damage

Vocal cords can become damaged in various ways including persistent coughing and voice overuse. A speech pathologist can teach you muscle strengthing and voice rehabilitation excercises and other strategies to help your vocal cords heal (such as cough modification). 

English Language Learners

If you are learning a new language and wish to alter your accent, you may benefit from the services of a speech-language pathologist, as well. They can help you form words and sounds correctly to alter your normal speech in learning a new language.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury after a blow to the head or an accident that affects the parts of the brain that control language can also lead to problems with communication. A speech therapist can help someone with this type of injury recover lost speech and language skills.

Swallowing Disorders

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can be caused by several different medical conditions including muscular problems, a narrowed esophagus, damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, or esophageal cancer. 

Untreated dysphagia can lead to problems eating and drinking including choking. A speech pathologist can help you develop strategies for safe chewing and swallowing, including exercises, correct body position, and food preparation recommendations. 

People with autism can have difficulty with both written and spoken communication as well as body-language forms of communication such as pointing and waving. Autism is also associated with difficulties relating to and socializing with other people. 

A speech pathologist can help people with autism understand communication norms and improve their written and spoken communication skills. They can also work with the families of people with autism on strategies that can help develop communication skills.

Alzheimer's Disease

People with dementia or Alzheimer's disease may develop communication problems as the disease progresses. A speech therapist can help the person develop memory skills and other strategies that will help them communicate.

Speech pathologists also work with the family and caregivers of people with dementia so they can help the person implement communication tools and strategies.   

Fluency Disorders

Fluency disorder describes speech patterns characterized by differences in rate and rhythm compared to how most people speak. 

Stuttering is the most common example of a fluency disorder. Another example is cluttering, which describes speech that is atypically fast and irregular.

Speech pathologists usually develop an individualized treatment plan for someone with a fluency disorder, which may include strategies such as:

• Minimizing negative reactions to the problem
• Increasing the person's acceptance of the problem
• Improving confidence
• Reducing avoidance behavior

Speech Sound Disorders

Speech sound disorders describe problems articulating words. People with speech sound disorders may be hard for others to understand. This can result in problems with social relationships, at work, or at school. 

Speech sound disorders are common in childhood and can be treated with the help of a speech pathologist. The pathologist will look at how the person moves their tongue, lips and jaw and help them learn the correct way to make sounds. 

People with speech sound disorders often have other problems with language; their speech therapist can also help them develop strategies to overcome these problems.

Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy

Voice therapy for transgender people can be an important part of gender-affirming healthcare. Learning to speak in ways that align with gender identity can improve a transgender person's quality of life as well as their social and psychological well-being.

A speech pathologist can help a transgender person learn to modify the pitch of their voice in ways that limit fatigue and damage to the vocal cords. They can also help the person learn nonverbal communication, articulation, and other strategies that can help their voice align with their gender identity.

To be a speech pathologist, a person must have a master's degree in communication disorders from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Many undergraduate and graduate programs in speech pathology require time spent observing a speech therapist at work prior to admission. This satisfies the requirement for entry into school and provides a good understanding of what a speech pathologist's job is like.

The first year of work as a speech therapist is called a clinical fellowship year. During this time, aspiring speech pathologists will work under the supervision of a licensed speech pathologist.

Additional steps to becoming a speech pathologist include:

• Obtaining a certificate of clinical competence in SLP (CCC-SLP)
• Passing a national Praxis examination for Speech-Language Pathology
• Applying for SLP licensure in the state in which you will be working

A speech pathologist's education does not end when they leave school and pass the national examination. They must also fulfill continuing education requirements from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to maintain their license.

When to See a Speech Pathologist

There are certain instances in which you may need to see a speech pathologist. For example, parents commonly notice small speech or language impairments in their children and seek out an SLP.

Adults may want to work with a speech pathologist to help with new or existing communication or language problems.

If you become hospitalized, you may have a speech pathologist come to your room and work with you at your bedside. They can help you with speech and language, swallowing and diet issues, and can work with other members of a rehab team to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you to return home.

When to see a medical professional

Many speech and language disorders benefit from the help of a speech therapist, but some are more urgent than others. Any sudden onset of impaired speech should be considered an emergency, as the person may be experiencing a life-threatening problem such as a stroke.

Children should be closely monitored for speech and language development. If your child does not have the language skills expected for their age, it is a good idea to see a speech pathologist as soon as you can.

If you or a loved one is having trouble communicating or understanding language, then working with a speech pathologist may be a good idea.

SLPs treat children and adults with a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, neurological injuries, autism, and more. They are trained to assess your condition and offer strategies to improve your expressive and receptive communication and swallowing function.

Pascoe A, Breen LJ, Cocks N. What is needed to prepare speech pathologists to work in adult palliative care?: What is needed to prepare SPs to work in adult palliative care? .  International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders . 2018;53(3):542-549. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12367

American Speech Language Hearing Association. Who are speech pathologists, and what do they do? .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Social communication .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech sound disorders .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Clinical specialty certification .

Reilly S, Harper M, Goldfeld S. The demand for speech pathology services for children: Do we need more or just different? . J Paediatr Child Health . 2016;52(12):1057-1061. doi:10.1111/jpc.13318

National Aphasia Association. Stroke .

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Aphasia .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Hearing loss in adults .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Autism (autism spectrum disorder) .

Alzheimer's Association. Strategies to support changes in memory, language and behavior in the early stages of dementia .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Fluency disorders .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Gender-affirming voice therapy advocacy .

SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org. How to become a speech pathologist .

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Identifying speech and language concerns about your child and when should you seek help?  

Salary.com. Speech Pathologist Salary in the United States .

By Brett Sears, PT Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy.

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How Much Do Speech-Language Pathologists Make?

• Bouvé Communications

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) perform  a range of duties  to improve their patients’ lives and wellbeing. From evaluating patients to diagnosing speech, language, and swallowing disorders to creating and implementing treatment plans and more, SLPs play a critical role in the mental health and healthcare industries. 

To become an SLP, an individual must complete a graduate-level degree (such as a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology), pass a national examination, and apply for licensure in the state they wish to practice. Together, these steps serve to demonstrate their future effectiveness in the role. 

Clearly, becoming an SLP is no small feat. It takes dedication and an investment of time, effort, and money to earn the degree alone. It is for this reason that speech-language pathologists are well-rewarded for their work. In addition to the satisfaction that comes from working to improve the lives of their patients every day, speech-language pathologists also enjoy competitive salaries and significant job security.

Below, we examine the average salary that speech-language pathologists can expect to earn and discuss some of the factors that can influence this salary. 

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of all speech-language pathologists is approximately  $80,500 per year . The highest 10 percent of professionals earn more than $122,750 per year. This figure typically correlates with those who have the most experience in the field. 

However, several factors will influence your compensation as a speech-language pathologist. These factors include:

• The specific environment you work in 
• How long you have worked in the field
• Where in the country you are employed 

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Work Environment

The specific facility or work environment you are employed in will significantly impact your salary. Per the BLS, those who work in nursing and residential care facilities earn the highest average wages, while those working in educational facilities, such as schools, earn the lowest average wages:

• Nursing and residential care facilities:  $95,010 per year
• Hospitals:  $87,110 per year
• Private practice:  $83,250 per year
• Educational services:  $71,410 per year

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) compiled a  similar report  in 2019 that breaks these facilities down in more granular detail. That study reported salary by facility and work environment as follows:

• Skilled nursing facility (SNF):  $95,000 per year
• General medical:  $85,798 per year
• Home health:  $76,000 per year
• Outpatient clinic or office:  $73,500 per year
• Pediatric hospital:  $78,000 per year
• Rehab hospital:  $79,000 per year

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Experience

ASHA also found that SLPs with greater levels of experience will typically earn more than those with fewer years of experience:

• 1 to 3 years of experience:  $66,000 per year
• 4 to 6 years of experience:  $72,000 per year
• 7 to 9 years of experience:  $78,000 per year
• 10 to 12 years of experience:  $78,000 per year
• 13 to 15 years of experience:  $87,500 per year
• 16 to 18 years of experience:  $82,000 per year
• 19 to 21 years of experience:  $100,000 per year
• 22 to 24 years of experience:  $83,000 per year
• 25 to 27 years of experience:  $90,000 per year
• 28 to 30 years of experience:  No data
• 31 or more years of experience:  $95,000 per year

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Location

Finally, the specific location in which you work can impact your salary as well. According to ASHA, the region with the highest median salary for SLPs is the Western United States, while the region with the lowest average salary is the Midwest:

• West:  $85,000 per year
• South:  $79,000 per year
• Northeast:  $78,000 per year
• Midwest:  $73,520 per year

Speech-Language Pathology Job Outlook

Between 2019 and 2029, the number of speech-language pathologists is expected to grow by approximately  25 percent — a much faster growth rate than the 4 percent growth expected across all occupations in the U.S. This growth translates into an additional 40,500 open positions in the coming decade. 

There are a number of trends driving this increased demand. One of the most consequential developments is the aging of the Baby Boomer population. As this significant population ages, they are increasingly experiencing medical problems such as dementia and stroke that lead to speech and swallowing conditions addressed by SLPs. Additionally, medical advances have increased the likelihood of survival for those who experience serious medical episodes (such as stroke), increasing the number of older patients in need of the services offered by speech-language pathologists. 

Another critical consideration is the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the field of speech-language pathology. For example, more SLPs are needed to help treat speech and swallowing complications that have resulted from the disease in some patients. Additionally, the rapid shift toward telehealth sparked by the pandemic has made getting treatment by SLPs much more accessible for many populations (while also notably limiting access for other populations).

The First Step Into a Promising SLP Career

Speech-language pathologists enjoy high salaries, robust job growth, and numerous avenues for career growth. If you believe that becoming an SLP is the right move for you, the first step toward breaking into the field is to complete a related master’s degree, such as a  Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology . 

When selecting a program to enroll in, there are several factors to consider, including the quality of the facilities, whether or not the faculty consists of individuals with experience in the field, and clinical placement opportunities.

Students enrolled in the MS in Speech-Language Pathology program at Northeastern complete their initial clinical training in the on-campus  Speech-Language and Hearing Center  to develop competence in the foundation skills they will use throughout their careers. Faculty members are active in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology, in addition to being world-renowned researchers contributing to the progression of the discipline. 

Students must complete a total of four clinical courses, gaining the hands-on experience that they will need to be successful in the field. Once the first semester of clinical training is completed at the on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Center, the following semesters include Advanced Clinical Programming at the Center along with off-campus work in community-based hospitals, clinics, educational facilities, etc. 

Interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist? Learn more about the  Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders  at Northeastern University. 

Download Our Free Guide

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Learn How to Break Into the Field of Speech-Language Pathology

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Is Speech Pathology Right For You? 5 Questions to Ask

Industry Advice Healthcare

Before you put in the time, money, and effort required to earn a degree, it’s important to first consider which careers that degree will prepare you for. In the case of earning a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology , your future career is a rather obvious one. The degree prepares students specifically for a career as a speech-language pathologist (SLP). 

If you are unsure of whether this is truly the right career for you, the good news is that there are several questions you can ask yourself to ensure that you’re making the right decision. Below, we explore these questions, tying each back to the field of speech-language pathology, and present some alternative careers you might consider if you decide that this is not the field for you.

1. Do you have a passion for helping others?

Speech-language pathologists play an important role in the healthcare industry by diagnosing and treating speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders. Treatments, interventions, education, and support provided by SLPs work together to empower patients to become more effective communicators. The end result is a patient who can make more meaningful connections with their loved ones and the broader community. 

It’s for this reason that most SLPs aspire to the career. They have the drive to help others and to make the world a better place.

Interested in a Speech-Language Pathology Career?

Learn how an SLP degree can give you the skills you need to make a difference in educational and healthcare settings.

2. What are your salary requirements?

While salary should not be your only consideration in choosing a career, it is still an important factor influencing your decision. It’s only natural, then, to ask the question: How much does a speech-language pathologist make ?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), speech-language pathologists make a median annual salary of $80,500 per year, with the highest earners taking home more than $122,750 annually. 

A variety of factors will influence how much you earn, including your level of experience, the location of your work, and the type of facility you are employed in. Generally speaking, those who work in nursing homes or residential care facilities, those who work in the Western states, and those with more years of experience working in the field can all expect higher pay than their counterparts.

The field of speech-language pathology is growing rapidly as the Baby Boomer population ages and the number of individuals suffering age-related diseases that lead to speech and communication problems (such as dementia and stroke) increase. Between 2019 and 2029, the number of SLPs is projected to grow by about 25 percent, compared to job growth of four percent for all occupations as a whole. 

3. What is your career timeline?

Though a career as a speech-language pathologist is a rewarding one, both in terms of pay and your ability to affect real change in the quality of life for your patients, breaking into the field will require an investment of time. To become an SLP, you will need to:

• Earn a relevant bachelor’s degree, such as a BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology or a BS in Communication Disorders
• Earn a relevant graduate degree, such as an MS in Speech-Language Pathology
• Complete a post-graduate clinical fellowship
• Pass the Praxis Exam
• Apply for state licensure and ASHA certification

All told, it takes an average of six to eight years from the start of your bachelor’s degree through the end of your fellowship to become an SLP, depending on the speed of your studies. 

4. How much variety and flexibility do you want in your career?

When most people think about speech-language pathology, they commonly envision speech therapists who specialize in working with children in schools. While this is a popular career path for many SLPs, it is far from the only option. In fact, the field offers a large amount of flexibility.

“I feel it’s a limitless career,” says Lorraine Book , department chair and associate clinical professor of Northeastern’s MS in Speech-Language Pathology program . “You can really run the gamut of individual ages and disorders that you’re working with, and that can change throughout your career.”

SLPs can work in a variety of settings, playing significantly different roles depending on where they work. For example, while you might work in an educational facility such as a school, you can just as easily pursue a career in a nursing or residential facility, a hospital, a clinic, or private practice.

“As an allied health profession, SLPs are trained to treat across the lifespan, which means birth to death, and we literally have clinicians who do that,” says Susan Fine, director of clinical education at Northeastern’s MS in Speech-Language Pathology program . “So they can work anywhere from inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, to adult geriatric settings in skilled nursing facilities, to schools, early intervention and private practice treating a range of communication and swallowing disorders.”

5. Do you have an interest in science and technology?

Speech-language pathology requires not only a drive to help others but also the ability to understand key medical and scientific concepts and technologies. If health, medicine, science, and technology interest you, then this field allows you to put that interest into action every day of your career. 

“Our profession also involves a basic understanding of science and use of technology,” Book says. “So if you have an interest in or a passion for science and technology and the intersection of that and helping others, this could be a good career for you.”

Alternative Careers to Speech-Language Pathology

If, after asking yourself these questions, you have decided that speech-language pathology is not the right career for you, there is still good news. Many other fulfilling careers provide many of the same rewards. 

If you are primarily motivated by a drive to make a difference in the lives of others, for example, you might pursue a career in counseling , occupational therapy, nursing, other careers in the field of allied health, or education . Each of these career paths will empower you to improve the lives of others, whether they be your patients or your students, while also providing competitive salaries and job stability. 

A Rewarding Career in Speech-Language Pathology

If you instead found yourself agreeing with the discussion points above, then a career in speech-language pathology could be right for you. Such a career will offer you the flexibility to work in various settings and with diverse patient populations while earning competitive pay and making a real difference for your patients. This final piece—a passion for helping others—is often the key determining reason why someone chooses to go into the field. 

Interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist? Learn more about the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northeastern University. 

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Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are two complementary professions that help patients with hearing issues. Audiologists are trained doctors who can test, diagnose, and treat hearing and balance issues. SLPs, on the other hand, are focused on the mechanism of speech and the throat and vocal tract. They can also address chewing and swallowing problems. In tandem, these professionals can help address myriad issues that can prevent clients from hearing well or communicating clearly with those around them.

Both of these careers require a significant amount of education. Audiologists must complete a doctor of audiology (AuD) degree that typically takes four years to finish. SLPs need to earn a master’s of science in speech-language pathology which can be completed in as little as two years. However, the high education requirements do not come without reward. Both careers are quite lucrative with SLPs earning $85,820 per year on average and audiologists bringing home $86,050 per year on average ( Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2021).

Salaries for SLPs and audiologists can vary significantly based on the level of work experience a professional has, the kind of facility they work at, the state where they are employed, and even if they live in a rural or urban area.

Continue reading this guide to get a more in-depth picture of how much SLPs and audiologists make.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLPs) and Audiologist Salary Overall

Both audiologist and SLP average wages are well above the national average for all salaries in the US. According to the BLS (May 2021), the average salary for all jobs is $58,260. By contrast, the average pay for SLPs is $85,820 and for audiologists , it’s $86,050—the latest data available as of June 2022.

Here are the percentiles for wages for SLPs:

• 10th percentile: $51,310 or $24.67 per hour
• 25th percentile: $61,970 or $29.79 per hour
• 50th percentile (median): $79,060 or $38.01 per hour
• 75th percentile: $100,200 or $48.18 per hour
• 90th percentile: $125,560 or $60.36 per hour

The percentiles for wages of audiologist are:

• 10th percentile: $58,920 or $ 28.33 per hour
• 25th percentile: $71,390 or $34.32 per hour
• 50th percentile (median): $78,950 or $37.96 per hour
• 75th percentile: $99,340 or $47.76 per hour
• 90th percentile: $120,210 or $57.79 per hour

The BLS is an authoritative source of data on wages for SLPs and audiologists. However, different sources aggregate data differently so the ranges they report can vary. When researching a career as an SLP or audiologist, it can be advantageous to look at several sources to understand better how wages can vary.

PayScale (June 2022), a self-reported salary compiling website, estimates that SLPs earn $40.41 per hour versus the $38.01 from the BLS, and audiologists earn $36.09 versus the $37.96 from the BLS.

According to PayScale (2022), the percentiles for wages for SLPs were:

• 10th percentile: $46,000 per year
• 50th percentile (median): $65,000 per year
• 90th percentile; $89,000 per year

The wages for audiologists, according to PayScale (2022), were:

• 10th percentile: $56,000 per year
• 50th percentile (median): $70,000 per year
• 90th percentile: $92,000 per year

According to PayScale, wages can increase for both SLPs and audiologists the longer they are in their field. After 20 years of work experience, SLPs can earn 14 percent more on average, and audiologists can anticipate 13 percent higher earnings.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Audiologist Salary By Region

While many factors can impact pay for SLPs and audiologists, one of the primary ones is where they work. Demand for employees, cost of living, and the number of open positions in a given region can cause salaries to rise or fall. Here are examples of mean wages for SLPs (BLS May 2021):

• Colorado: $44.93 per hour, $93,460 per year
• Illinois: $39.71 per hour, $82,590 per year
• Vermont: $40.53 per hour, $84,290 per year
• California: $49.35 per hour, $102,650 per year
• Texas: $39.88 per hour, $82,940 per year
• Florida: $40.56 per hour, $84,360 per year

Audiologists mean salaries by state include:

• Montana: $38.27 per hour, $79,610 per year
• Connecticut: $38.88 per hour, $80,860 per year
• Idaho- $33.39 per hour, $69,460 per year
• West Virginia: $37.26 per hour, $77,490 per year
• Colorado: $44.79 per hour, $93,160 per year
• Ohio: $32.78 per hour, $68,180 per year

Top-Paying States for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

Some places in the country have significantly higher earnings than others. According to the BLS (May 2021) the top-paying states for SLP, and the mean wages, are:

• California: $102,650 average
• Hawaii: $100,120
• New York: $98,850
• New Jersey: $98,270
• District of Columbia: $98,240

Audiologists, by contrast, vary a bit more than SLP ones. Here are the top states and mean wages for audiologists:

• Nevada: $109,690 average
• California: $106,940
• District of Columbia: $106,720
• North Dakota: $103,700
• Washington: $95,280

The number of audiologists or SLPs in a given area can significantly affect demand. This demand, in turn, can affect how much employers offer for wages. Areas of the country where there are many places for these professionals to work typically have higher wages than places with few employers. Here are the states with the highest number of SLPs.

• California: 14,150 employed SLPs
• Texas: 13,370
• New York: 13,150
• Illinois: 7,710
• Florida: 7,300

The states with the highest number of audiologists are:

• California: 1,110 employed audiologists
• Florida: 700
• Virginia: 660
• New York: 630

Top-Paying Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

Salaries for SLPs and audiologists can vary widely within each state as well. The metropolitan area where one of these professionals works can significantly impact pay. In general, SLPs and audiologists who work in rural areas earn less than those who work in urban areas. Below are the highest-paying metropolitan areas for SLPs, along with the mean wages:

• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $56.85 per hour $118,260 per year on average
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $53.42 per hour $111,120 per year on average
• Salinas, CA: $51.52 per hour $107,160 per year on average
• Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA: $51.30 per hour $106,710 per year on average
• Modesto, CA: $51.03 per hour $106,130 per year on average
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $50.98 per hour $106,030 per year on average
• Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA: $50.27 per hour $104,550 per year on average
• Sacramento–Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA: $49.88 per hour $103,740 per year on average
• Urban Honolulu, HI: $49.72 per hour $103,420 per year on average
• Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: $49.49 per hour $102,940 per year on average

The top-paying metropolitan areas and mean wages for audiologists were:

• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $58.26 per hour $121,170 per year on average
• Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA: $56.64 per hour $117,810 per year on average
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $55.98 per hour $116,450 per year on average
• Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA: $48.77 per hour $101,440 per year on average
• Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: $48.73 per hour $101,370 per year on average
• Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO: $48.69 per hour $101,280 per year on average
• San Diego-Carlsbad, CA: $48.54 per hour $100,960 per year on average
• Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN: $47.81 per hour $99,440 per year on average
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: $47.34 per hour $98,460 per year on average
• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: $47.27 per hour $98,320 per year on average

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLPs) and Audiologist Salary By Type Of Office

Another key factor in the wages of SLPs and audiologists is their place of employment. Typically audiologists work in schools or clinics. However, they can also be found in hospitals, educational support services, and outpatient care centers. Audiologists can even work in lucrative roles such as device manufacturing. Here are the places of employment with the highest wages for SLPs:

• Management of Companies and Enterprises: $54.42 per hour, $113,190 per year on average
• Home Health Care Services: $53.29 per hour, $110,850 per year on average
• Individual and Family Services: $49.33 per hour, $102,610 per year on average
• Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities): $48.66 per hour, $101,210 per year on average
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly: $48.13 per hour, $100,120 per year on average

For audiologists, these are the top-paying places of employment:

• Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing: $49.40 per hour, $102,760 per year on average
• Outpatient Care Centers: $49.26 per hour, $102,460 per year on average
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $43.62 per hour, $90,720 per year on average
• Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals: $43.28 per hour, $90,020 per year on average
• Elementary and Secondary Schools: $42.82 per hour, $89,060 per year on average

Although salary isn’t typically the only determining factor when choosing a career, having realistic expectations about earnings is an important consideration for aspiring professionals doing their due diligence in a particular field. Also, a keen understanding of why wages may fall outside of the average such as years of experience, level of education, certification, and place of employment can help SLPs and audiologists better accurately predict what wages may be given their particular circumstances.

Aside from salary, SLPs and audiologists should consider other important things when seeking employment, including health insurance, retirement, paid time off, opportunities for advancement, commute, and management.

With her passion for uncovering the latest innovations and trends, Kimmy Gustafson has provided valuable insights and has interviewed experts to provide readers with the latest information in the rapidly evolving field of medical technology since 2019. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.

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How To Become A Speech Pathologist: A Step-By-Step Guide

Updated: Jul 6, 2023, 10:29am

Human communication is astoundingly complex. Every language spoken on Earth comprises vocabularies with tens of thousands of words, built with dozens of speech sounds. Languages enable us to discuss almost any concept, and learning new languages can offer opportunities for enrichment expanding past cultural and geographical borders.

However, intervention by a speech pathologist is critical when human speech and language are impaired. Speech pathologists treat various speech, language and swallowing disorders (speech and swallowing use the same muscles). By attending speech pathologist school, you’re embarking on a journey to help people regain their ability to communicate clearly and connect with others on a human level.

Read on to learn how to become a speech pathologist.

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What Is a Speech Pathologist?

A speech pathologist is a clinical professional who helps patients overcome communication or swallowing challenges. Speech pathologists work to improve patients’ quality of life by fortifying their language and fluency skills, bolstering their vocabulary, and restoring their ability to enjoy foods and liquids safely.

Issues that speech pathologists treat include:

• Speech impediments: How we vocalize sounds and articulate words is crucial to our communication abilities. Speech impediments may severely hinder vocalization to the point where a person can’t speak at all or in a way others can understand. Speech pathologists help patients overcome these issues and strengthen their ability to speak and communicate clearly.
• Language disorders: People with language disorders may struggle to understand the words or sounds used by others or come up with the right words while speaking. Speech pathologists help patients expand their vocabulary and fortify their comprehension.
• Fluency issues: Fluency pertains to how well speech flows. Somebody with a stutter, for example, may seek treatment and counseling from a speech pathologist.
• Swallowing disorders: Difficulty swallowing (known as dysphagia) can stem from various causes, including past surgeries, radiation and neurological damage. Dysphagia can lead to malnutrition if left untreated. Speech pathologists help patients strengthen and develop the muscles necessary to swallow properly.

Work Environment

Speech pathologists work in various professional settings. Most work in educational facilities, including state, local and private settings. Others work in clinical offices, hospitals or nursing and residential care facilities. In rare cases, speech pathologists may be self-employed, but most work as part of a team.

Common Challenges

Speech pathologists must have a firm handle on treating and interacting with people from diverse populations. They should know how to approach people of various ages and ethnic backgrounds with a range of disorders.

Speech pathology can also be emotionally taxing. Speech pathologists must be compassionate and empathetic toward their patients; it can be challenging to witness as patients struggle with severe speech impediments or swallowing disorders.

Speech Pathologist Salary and Job Outlook

Speech pathologists take home a median annual wage of $84,140, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The job outlook for this profession is overwhelmingly positive; employment is estimated to grow by 21% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average projected growth for all other occupations.

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

Becoming a speech pathologist involves earning a master’s degree, obtaining licensure and clocking several hours of supervised practice.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

While a speech pathologist ultimately needs a master’s degree, starting with your bachelor’s is a good first step. You may not have to earn your bachelor’s degree in a particular subject to qualify for admission to a speech pathology master’s program. However, it could be helpful to pursue your bachelor’s degree in a subject like speech and hearing science, speech pathology or another health-related field.

A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to complete.

Complete a Master’s Degree

You’ll need to obtain a master’s degree in speech pathology next. Your program must be accredited for you to become certified, and sometimes to earn state licensure as well. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) accredits speech-language pathology programs.

It generally takes two years to finish a master’s degree. Master’s degree programs require students to complete an internship or supervised clinical work during their studies. Master’s programs cover topics such as fluency disorders, social communication development, dysphagia and language disorders in children.

Obtain Licensure

After finishing your master’s program, you’ll need a license to practice speech pathology in your state. That entails getting a master’s degree from an accredited program, clocking additional supervised clinical experience hours (even if you’ve already completed some as part of your master’s) and passing a licensure exam.

Every state has varying requirements for licensure. In California, for example, speech pathologists must complete 300 supervised hours of clinical practice in three separate clinical settings, along with 36 weeks of supervised full-time required professional experience. Alternatively, they may complete 72 weeks of part-time experience.

In Oklahoma, speech pathologists need a supervised, 400-hour clinical practicum experience. Of those hours, 375 should be in direct client contact and 25 in clinical observation. Pathologists should complete 325 of their practicum hours in a CAA-accredited graduate program.

Certifications for Speech Pathologists

Speech pathologists can earn certifications to demonstrate their professional competency. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Regulatory agencies recognize this certification in most states. Some states and school districts provide pay supplements to ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.

Candidates must graduate from an accredited program to earn the CCC-SLP credential. They must also pass an exam and log 400 hours of supervised clinical experience. The certification costs $511 for applicants who wish to become ASHA members; it costs $455 without the membership.

Professional Organizations for Speech Pathologists

Speech pathologists may also seek specialized certifications in various speech pathology concentrations. The American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders , the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders, and the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders all offer specialty certifications.

American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (BCS-CL)

To become certified as a specialist in child language, you must:

• Be CCC-SLP certified
• Have been employed for five years full-time as a speech pathologist
• Log 100 hours of intermediate or advanced continuing education in the realm of child language in the last 10 years

The application fee for the BCS-CL is $250.

American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders (BCS-F)

Becoming a board-certified BCS-F member requires:

• Being CCC-SLP certified
• A minimum of three years of full-time employment experience in speech pathology
• 450 clinical contact service hours within the area of fluency disorders
• Submitting a portfolio of case studies to be approved.

The application fee is $250.

American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S)

Speech pathologists who specialize in dysphagia can apply to become BCS-S certified. Candidates must:

• Demonstrate advanced continuing education in the dysphagia field
• Have at least three years of experience working directly with dysphagia patients
• Document advanced-level skills in treating swallowing disorders

The application fee is $100.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Become a Speech Pathologist

What is the difference between a speech pathologist and a speech therapist.

These terms are interchangeable—there’s no difference between a speech pathologist and a speech therapist. Both speech therapists and speech pathologists help patients overcome vocalization, language, fluency and swallowing issues.

What is the best major for speech pathology?

Speech pathology doesn’t require any particular bachelor’s degree, but majoring in a related subject like speech and hearing science, speech pathology or communications disorders may help your chances of getting into an accredited master’s program. Most speech pathology master’s programs require undergraduate coursework in biology and health-related fields.

How much money do SLPs make?

The median annual salary for a speech pathologist in the U.S. is $84,140, as reported by the BLS. Speech pathologists who work in company and enterprise management make $127,180 on average.

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Cecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

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Nursing vs. speech pathologist, writing skills as an advanced practice nurse.

Helping people in need is a natural impulse, and it's part of the appeal of healthcare careers. Although being a caregiver can often be stressful, many professionals in the healthcare industry enjoy the satisfaction of seeing how their work improves their patients' lives. For example, both nurses and speech-language pathologists interact directly with their patients, often for extended periods. Both are careers with strong employment prospects and a substantial impact on their patients.

Speech Language Pathologist

Anyone who's ever been in a serious relationship – or through a serious breakup – understands how hard communication can be, even for healthy adults. For people with hearing loss, speech problems and some neurological conditions, it can be especially difficult. Speech language therapists work with patients of all ages, diagnosing their communications difficulties and constructing appropriate plans of treatment or therapy. This might include teaching a deaf child to learn to form unheard words, helping a stroke victim regain the power of speech, or working with clients whose stammer or accent represents a barrier to communication.

Nursing is a much broader and more diverse career path. At the entry level, it consists of direct patient care such as changing bandages, administering medications and monitoring vital signs. Over time, many nurses specialize in areas such as surgical care, obstetrics, psychiatry or oncology. Some go on to advanced practice, offering doctor-like care as nurse midwives, anesthetists, nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists. Others can exercise considerable influence as public health nurses, policy advisers, or administrators and executives within the health care industry.

Neither profession is one you'll enter on a whim. To become a speech language pathologist, you have to earn a bachelor's degree in any field, with at least a portion of your course work in communication sciences. Then you'll complete a master's or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, and apply for a license through your state's medical board. Professional certification is available through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Registered nurses must complete either an associate degree or a bachelor's degree and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX-RN. Advanced practice nursing and other high-level positions require graduate degrees, and sometimes specialized certifications as well.

Speech language pathologists can set up in private practice, or work in schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities or multi-specialty practices with practitioners in other disciplines. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates strong demand for pathologists, projecting employment growth of 23 percent by 2020. Nursing is a broader and more varied field, offering a greater range of career paths. You could work in the up-tempo environment of a hospital, or enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere in a physician's office. Ambitious nurses can earn a high level of professional respect in advanced practice, or in management roles. The BLS expects demand for registered nurses to grow by 26 percent through 2020, much more than the average for all occupations.

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Fred Decker is a trained chef and certified food-safety trainer. Decker wrote for the Saint John, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, and has been published in Canada's Hospitality and Foodservice magazine. He's held positions selling computers, insurance and mutual funds, and was educated at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Speech Pathologist vs Audiologist: Compare Salaries & Requirements

Most people probably lump speech-language pathologists and audiologists in together, but both play separate, but critical roles in working with the hard-of-hearing and individuals with speech impediments.

Although speech and hearing are two different biological functions, with different mechanisms and processes behind them, when you track them both back to the brain you’ll find they are deeply tied together.

So while the jobs are related, restoring speech or hearing in any patient often requires both audiologists and speech pathologists. If you’re considering a career in the field, it pays to understand the different educational needs, licensing and certification requirements, and salary levels to expect for speech pathologists vs audiologists.

Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Are Closely Related Disciplines

That’s where audiologists come in. Their training in testing hearing and diagnosing auditory disorders is critical for speech pathologists to design their own treatments. And audiologists have the expertise to fix speech disorders that stem directly from hearing problems by fixing those hearing issues directly.

In most cases, speech pathologists and audiologists work together closely to develop treatment plans and monitor progress.

What is the difference between a speech pathologist and an audiologist?

Audiologists are specialized doctors who test, diagnose, treat, and work to prevent hearing and balance problems. Speech pathologists deal with the mechanics of speech and related issues in the vocal tract, including issues that create problems chewing and swallowing properly.

What do speech pathologists and audiologists do?

Speech pathologists use language and muscular therapy, together with technology and compensation techniques, to help patients with their pronunciation, mouth and tongue movements, and throat and voice control. Audiologists test hearing and use medical and technical skills to find the root cause, and arrange treatment or prescribe hearing aids or aural rehabilitation to fix them.

How do speech pathologists and audiologists work together?

Typically, an audiologist will screen and monitor the hearing issues a patient experiences and inform an SLP what the diagnosis is. They may work together creating and leading auditory training, or the SLP may provide speech therapy based on the information the audiologist comes up with.

Speech Pathology and Audiology Have Different Educational Requirements

SLPs also have stringent educational requirements at the graduate level, but may become certified with just the two-year master’s degree.

Finding a communication sciences and disorders undergraduate program is the first step toward becoming an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

Already have your BA degree? Find a CAA-Accredited Speech-Pathology Master’s Program .

Audiologists spend their study hours learning about subjects such as:

• Anatomy and physiology of peripheral hearing
• Acoustic signals and vestibular system function
• Psychoacoustics
• Hearing aids
• Audio pathologies

It’s a heavy dose of technology and scientific detail of the human hearing system, learning about how it develops in early lifecycle stages and starts to fall apart later in life. There’s a big focus on technological solutions and diagnostics for hearing loss.

In an SLP program, meanwhile, students learn basic aspects of hearing and vestibular systems, but real focus on phonology and the mechanics of the vocal tract. Subjects can include:

• Phonological disabilities
• Dysphagia diagnosis and treatments
• Language disorders
• Muscular therapy and speech drills

Both kinds of programs stress hands-on learning, so practicum and externship placements are a big part of the training.

Is specialty accreditation important for audiology and speech-language pathology programs?

Yes! Fortunately, both professions rely on the same specialty accreditor: ASHA, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). As of 2021, more than 300 accredited SLP programs and 80 accredited audiology clinical doctoral degrees are available.

What is a bachelor of audiology and speech-language pathology?

If you’re not sure which path you want to follow, there is a great option for you at the undergraduate level: a BS in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. These programs lay the groundwork for either a master’s in SLP or a doctorate in audiology with coursework in speech and hearing sciences, phonology disorders, neurology of speech and hearing, and rehabilitation techniques.

Why do speech-language pathologists need to know about audiology?

SLPs need a strong understanding of hearing because it’s so closely tied to our ability to speak. Humans learn speech through their ears. If something is going wrong in the auditory system, it’s almost inevitable that it will cause problems in vocalization. Without a clear idea of how those issues can be related, it’s impossible for SLPs to successfully treat those types of problems.

Why is the study of audiology important to the study of speech-language pathology?

Clearly understanding the connections between the auditory system and human speech is a big part of SLP training and degree programs. Without a strong command of audiology, SLPs are working in the dark when trying to rehabilitate many hearing-related speech pathologies.

What Speech Pathologist vs Audiologist Career Tracks Look Like

Most speech pathologists work in education. According to ASHA, about 43 percent of SLPs are employed by schools or other educational services. They do a lot of hands-on therapy, developing unique treatment plans for patients and getting in a lot of direct contact. It’s a rewarding process to watch a patient who has had difficulty feeding themselves learn to chew and swallow properly, or see a kid who can’t communicate learn to form words.

Audiologists, on the other hand, primarily work in healthcare services such as clinics, hospitals, or in private practice. Their jobs can involve a lot more standardized diagnostic process, administering hearing tests or conducting technical evaluations. They routinely fit patients for hearing aids, also.

Licensing and Certification For Speech Pathologists vs Audiologists

Enrolling in a CAA-accredited speech-pathology graduate program is critical for getting a license. SLPs also have to complete a period of supervised training and pass the Praxis exam for speech-language pathology on their way to getting the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). That’s a national level board certification of competence that many employers look for to maintain high standards in the field.

ASHA also offers the CCC-A, which is the audiologist equivalent of the CCC-SLP. Audiologists have a different test to pass and more hours of supervised practice to fulfill, in line with their more advanced degree.

Every state has separate licensing requirements, but earning the CCC-SLP or CCC-A is either accepted itself as a qualification, or has standards that mean you will meet state rules across the country. Some states also require a jurisprudence exam from applicants in both fields.

Should I be an audiologist or a speech pathologist?

It’s always up to you to decide which kind of work you will enjoy more. But there is a big fat hint in the employment numbers that might tip you toward one or the other: the number of jobs for SLPs is expected to increase by 25% between 2019-2029, while it’s just 13% for audiologists. The fact that so many SLPs work in education means that if you enjoy working with kids, that might be your jam. Audiologists also frequently work with kids, but their practice base really covers all ages.

Can you be an audiologist and a speech pathologist?

You sure can! But don’t think it’s an easy path. You will have to meet the educational requirements for both professions and pursue certification and licensing in two different paths to get there. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reports that only 758 of its 218,000 members are certified in both professions.

Differences in Audiologist vs Speech Language Pathologist Salary

Let’s start off with the fact that these are both fun, well-paying jobs. You’re going to be working as a respected professional with a solid take-home salary, doing work that changes lives. That’s a kind of pay that you can’t take to the bank but would never give up, either.

Many people wonder about which job would pull down the biggest paychecks, though. But the difference between speech pathologist and audiologist salaries isn’t as big as you would expect based on the educational differences. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020 audiologists enjoyed a median annual salary of $81,030, while speech-language pathologists were paid $80,480.

At the top end, after years of experience and advanced certification, audiologists can make more than $128,160 while SLPs in the top ten percent earn over $122,790 per year.

Do audiologists get paid more than speech pathologists?

Although you can see from the median salaries that audiologists on average make just a little bit more than speech pathologists, that difference can evaporate depending on the industry you are working in. In hospitals, for instance, audiologists made $86,940, while speech pathologists actually win out slightly at an average of $87,110. You might also be interested in seeing what speech pathologist salaries by state look like, since there can be big geographic differences in pay.

• Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
• NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
• Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.

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Knowledge and Perception of Registered Nurses Regarding the Scope of Practice of Speech-Language Pathologists

Sami alhamidi.

1 Postgraduate and Research Center, Department of Maternal and Child Health, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia; as.ude.usk@idimahlas

Majid Alshahwan

2 Speech and Hearing Program, Department of Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia; as.ude.usk@nawhahslaim

Regie Tumala

3 Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia

Objective: To assess the knowledge and perception of registered nurses regarding the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists (SLP) in Saudi Arabia. Background: Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital between the SLP and nurses due to the complex care needed by patients with speech problems. Methods: A total of 294 registered nurses were surveyed utilizing the Knowledge and Perception of Speech-Language Pathologists questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and tests for differences and relationships were performed. Results: The findings revealed that nursing respondents had an overall good understanding of the value and scope of practice of the SLP. However, they frequently and wrongly responded to scenarios concerning patients who suffered from Alzheimer’s dementia, laryngeal cancer, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Conclusions: It is vital for nurses to understand the value, role, and scope of practice of the SLP. Further educational nursing interventions and training are necessary for effective interprofessional collaboration and teamwork.

1. Introduction

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a member of the healthcare team who primarily performs the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of swallowing disorders [ 1 ]. Speech-language pathology therapy (SLPT) prevents and corrects language, speech, voice, and fluency problems in patients [ 2 ]. Thus, assessment and intervention for patients with speech problems are primarily the responsibility of the SLP [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Patients with these problems most commonly suffer from swallowing disorders resulting from cerebrovascular accidents or stroke attacks [ 1 ] or mild traumatic brain injury in children [ 5 ]. Every year in the United States of America (USA), around 600,000 patients with neurological impairments are affected by swallowing difficulties [ 6 ]. Fortunately, these patients can rely on a support system of, on average, 52.8 SLP for every 100,000 residents [ 7 ]. However, there are no known data regarding this ratio for Saudi Arabia [ 8 ].

Due to the complex care needed by patients with speech problems, a teamwork approach with interprofessional collaboration between the SLP and other healthcare workers, particularly nurses, is paramount [ 1 ]. According to the World Health Organization [ 9 ], the SLP must educate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and management of patients with swallowing disorders. This effort will improve coordination between healthcare services, ensure appropriate referrals are made by specialists, enhance the patient’s health outcomes, and enact safer care for the patient [ 10 ]. Due to many collaborative efforts, the perceptions of other healthcare professionals including nurses play an important role in the appropriate and timely referral of patients with speech problems to SLP. A recent study revealed that the majority of Jordanian dentists (N = 191) generally believed in the important role of SLP in the healthcare team [ 11 ].

However, these collaborative efforts are challenged as several studies reported a lack of knowledge and poor understanding of the role and scope of practice of SLP. For example, a previous study using similar tool revealed poor knowledge regarding the role of SLP among allied healthcare professionals in an acute care hospital setting in the USA [ 12 ]. The findings were consistent with a previous study conducted in Canada showing that medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy students reported a lack of understanding of the role of SLP [ 13 ]. In addition, a recent study that involved 290 American undergraduate male students towards the SLP field indicated a lack of awareness of the scope of SLP [ 14 ]. Another study in the USA found that caregivers struggled to understand their child’s language and literacy disorders, underscoring the need for SLP to provide a clear diagnostic and clinical service [ 15 ]. Similarly, public awareness of speech pathology among residents of the Central Queensland community in Australia was reported as low [ 16 ]. In Pakistan, a recent study participated in by 200 healthcare professionals including audiologists, dieticians, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychiatrists, reported low perception and unfamiliarity of the role of SLP, and poor communication and referral to SLP [ 17 ]. In particular, a previous study among South African nurses indicated a lack of knowledge and unfamiliarity with the role of SLP in dysphagia management [ 18 ]. Hence, there is evidence in the literature that the role and scope of the practice of SLP are poorly understood by the public and healthcare professionals including nurses as reported in many countries, suggesting the need for effective interprofessional collaboration.

In the USA and Canada, interdisciplinary collaborations have been established between the SLP and audiologists [ 3 ], occupational therapists, physical therapists [ 19 ], and nurses [ 1 , 20 ]. The fact that these collaborations are occurring is even evident in SLP and nursing, facilitating interdisciplinary competence and teamwork for new areas of knowledge and skills [ 4 , 10 , 21 ]. Interprofessional collaboration has been reported in a previous study in the USA to be an effective strategy to increase understanding of the roles of healthcare professionals through simulation involving nursing, nutrition, and SLP students [ 22 ]. In addition, some recent, related studies among the SLP, audiologists, and nurses have suggested these collaborations are happening in Saudi Arabia [ 8 , 23 ], which is imperative to ensure the highest quality and safest care is delivered to patients [ 21 ]. However, the literature suggests that there remains a paucity of published studies on nurses collaborating with the SLP [ 18 , 20 ]. This lack of research is particularly prevalent in Saudi Arabia, where SLPT is still a relatively new profession [ 8 ]. Moreover, there has only been one study in Saudi Arabia specifically focused on patients with dysphagia [ 23 ].

Thus, the present study was undertaken to assess the interdisciplinary knowledge and perceptions of registered nurses regarding the role and scope of practice of the SLP in a Saudi state university medical facility.

2.1. Study Design and Setting and Participants

This quantitative study used a correlational, cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 294 registered nurses was recruited at King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the recruitment period, 320 questionnaires were distributed, 302 were returned, and 8 were excluded due to substantial missing data. Thus, the response rate was 94.38%.

The inclusion criteria were as follows: registered nurses with at least six months of current employment in the hospital who willingly and voluntarily participated and were available at the time the data were collected. Newly hired nurses under probationary status and nurses who were unwilling to participate were excluded.

2.2. Instrument

This study utilized the Knowledge and Perception of Speech-Language Pathologists questionnaire [ 12 ] with three parts. Permission to use the questionnaire was obtained from the copyright holder, Elizabeth King [email approval, 12 March 2019]. The tool had been used in previous studies [ 12 , 17 ], and was pilot-tested among 50 nurses in Saudi Arabia before the start of the study, which yielded alpha values > 0.70 for the two sub-scales: (1) value of SLPT and (2) scope of practice of SLP.

The first part had eight questions asking the nursing respondents about their work-related information. The second part of the questionnaire had four main questions about the respondents’ perceptions of the value of SLPT. The first question, which had six sub-questions, was about the importance of the SLP in delivering services to a patient who (a) had a brain injury or stroke, (b) was on a ventilator for several days, (c) was in a persistent vegetative state with tube feeding, (d) was having trouble swallowing food, (e) had acute vomiting due to a bowel obstruction, and (f) was receiving head/neck radiation. These sub-questions were answered using a four-point Likert scale from 1 (being not at all important) to 4 (being extremely important). The three remaining questions were concerned with the patient’s communicative abilities, patient’s swallowing abilities, and whether or not the SLPT services made a considerable contribution to patient care. These questions were answered with “Yes”, “No”, or “Uncertain”. The three questions were merely matters of opinion and there were no right or wrong answers. If the respondents responded with “Yes” on each question, they had a positive perception of SLP; whereas if they responded with “No” on the questions, they had a negative perception of SLP.

The third part of the questionnaire had eleven scenario questions about the respondents’ understanding of the scope of practice of the SLP. The respondents were asked to indicate all healthcare professionals who should be involved in the patients’ treatment, with choices including the SLP, dietician, nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, pharmacist, social worker, and others. To receive credit for a correct response, the respondents had to mark the SLP as one of the healthcare professionals who should be involved in the patient’s treatment for each of the following items: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11. The SLP should not be marked for the following foil items: 3, 7, and 10. It did not matter if other disciplines were or were not marked on this part of the questionnaire. SLP was the only discipline that determined whether the responses were correct or incorrect. The acceptable range of performance on the scale was 80% correct or higher.

2.3. Ethical Consideration and Data Collection

Ethical approval with reference no. E-19-4126 was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of King Saud University. After obtaining ethical approval, the researchers were granted permission by the office of the nursing director to distribute the survey. Written informed consent was then obtained from each participant before administering the questionnaire. Afterwards, the questionnaires were handed to the participants ensuring that no signed consent form was linked to any completed survey. Adequate information was provided to the respondents during the recruitment phase. Moreover, the respondents were told about their rights and were informed that no incentives were given for participation. The respondents completed the survey in between 15 and 20 min. Data were collected between October 2019 and December 2019.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

Descriptive statistics were calculated for the work-related variables of the respondents (e.g., median, mean, and standard deviation). A Pearson correlation test was performed to establish the association between the work-related characteristics and the perception ratings and the scenario scores. The results between the groups of respondents were then compared. An independent t -test and one-way analysis of variance were performed to examine differences on the perceptions and understanding of the value of the SLPT. Significant findings were inferred if p < 0.05. Data were processed and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows v.23 (IBM Corp.: Armonk, NY, USA).

3.1. Work-Related Characteristics of the Participants

The work-related variables of the participants are presented in Table 1 . The mean years of experience of the respondents in the hospital were 7.65 (SD = 5.53), ranging from 0 to 37 years. The highest proportion of the respondents was in the emergency and out-patient department (17.0%), while the lowest proportion was in the psychiatric department (4.4%). The number of nurses working a day shift (77.2%) was higher than those working a night shift (22.8%). The majority of the nurses (240, 81.6%) had not communicated with or referred to the SLP in the last month, while 41 (13.9%) had done so 1–10 times, and 13 (4.4%) had done so more than 10 times. Similarly, the majority of the nurses (222, 75.5%) had not cared for a patient with the SLP in the past month, while 48 (16.3%) had cared for 1–10 patients, and 24 (8.2%) had cared for more than 10 patients. Of particular note, the highest proportion of nurses was unfamiliar with the role of the SLP in the hospital setting (62.6%), while only four (1.4%) were very familiar. The number of nurses who had not personally received the SLPT services or known anyone who had (87.1%) was higher than those who had (12.9%).

Work-related Characteristics of the Participants (N = 294).

3.2. Participants’ Perception of the Value of Speech-Language Pathology

As can be seen in Table 2 , most of the nurses perceived the SLP as important or extremely important for providing services to patients who have had a stroke or brain injury (92.1%), with the highest mean reported in this study (M = 3.58, SD = 0.74). Within the sample, the majority of the nurses perceived the SLP as important or extremely important for providing services to patients who have been on ventilators for several days (75.2%) and have had trouble swallowing food (2.4%). The highest proportion of nurses also perceived the SLP as important or extremely important for providing services to patients receiving head/neck radiation (64.7%). On the other hand, foil questions were set to a reverse scale. Low ratings were considered more appropriate than high ratings and thus were worthy of a greater amount of points. For these questions, the nurses did not perceive the SLP to be important or possibly important for patients in a persistent vegetative state who received tube feeding from nurses (63.3%), with a reported mean of 2.21 (SD = 1.14). This finding shows that the respondents gave an appropriate rating for this situation, indicating a very good perception of the value of SLPT. Another foil question regarding a patient suffering from acute vomiting due to a bowel obstruction (52.4%) was also appropriately perceived by the respondents by rating it as not at all important or possibly important, with a reported mean of 2.52 (SD = 1.15). This finding shows that the nurses had a good perception of the value of SLPT in this situation. Lastly, the majority of the respondents believed a patient’s communicative (87.1%) and swallowing (68%) abilities could change as a result of SLPT and believed that the SLPT services made a considerable contribution to patient care within a hospital setting (85.4%).

Participants’ Perception of the Value of Speech-Language Pathology (N = 294).

Note. a Reverse coded.

3.3. Differences and Associations between the Work-Related Characteristics and Perceptions of the Value of Speech-Language Pathology

Table 3 presents the results of the tests for differences and associations between the work-related variables and the nurses’ perceptions of the value of SLPT. The number of nurses who had not personally received the SLPT services or known anyone who had was found to have a significant difference to those who had ( t = −2.45, p = 0.015). Of additional significance, the familiarity of the nurses with the role of the SLP in the hospital setting was significantly associated with their perceptions of the value of SLPT ( r = 0.13, p = 0.032). Other work-related variables were not found to have significant differences and associations with the nurses’ perceptions of the value of SLPT.

Results of the Tests for Differences and Associations between the Work-Related Characteristics and Perceptions of the Value of Speech-Language Pathology (N = 294).

Note. * Significant at 0.05 level.

3.4. Participants’ Understanding of the Speech-Language Pathologist’s Scope of Practice Based on Scenarios

The respondents’ understanding of the scope of practice of the SLP in given scenarios is presented in Table 4 . The overall percentage (64.4%) of correct answers from the nurses was below the acceptable range of performance (80% correct or higher). However, the majority of the nurses performed acceptably when only four out of the eleven scenarios were included: Scenario 4 (84.0%), Scenario 6 (82.0%), Scenario 7 (82.0%), and Scenario 9 (81.3%). The patients in Scenarios 4 and 9 suffered a left hemisphere stroke, while the patient in Scenario 6 suffered lapses in memory and periods of disorientation that required cognitive therapy, which is within the scope of practice of the SLP. Although not counted as a missed question, Scenario 7 was also included on the survey as a foil and described a patient who suffered nausea and vomiting, which would not fall within the scope of practice of the SLP.

Participants’ Understanding of the Speech-Language Pathologist’s Scope of Practice based on Scenarios (N = 294).

Despite these positive responses, most of the nurses answered incorrectly in seven scenarios, with the percentage of correct answers far below the acceptable range of performance in Scenario 1 (73.8%), Scenario 2 (57.8%), Scenario 3 (65.0%), Scenario 5 (45.2%), Scenario 8 (41.8%), Scenario 10 (18.4%), and Scenario 11 (77.6%). Of these, Scenarios 3 and 10 were included on the survey to serve as additional foils. The two patients in these scenarios were described as follows: (1) a patient with diabetes and a mild mental disability and (2) a patient having hallucinations due to the street drug commonly called Spice. Neither patient had conditions or circumstances that would fall within the scope of practice of the SLP. However, Scenarios 1, 2, 5, 8, and 11 were not foils. The patients in these scenarios suffered from a traumatic brain injury (Scenarios 1 and 5), a stroke (Scenario 2), Alzheimer’s dementia (Scenario 8), and laryngeal cancer (Scenario 11). In each situation, the patient would require cognitive therapy, which is within the scope of practice of the SLP.

3.5. Differences and Associations between the Work-Related Characteristics and Understanding of the Speech-Language Pathologist’s Scope of Practice

Table 5 presents the results of the tests for differences and associations between the work-related variables and the nurses’ understanding of the scope of practice of the SLP. The work-related variables were not found to have significant differences and associations with the nurses’ understanding of the scope of practice of the SLP.

Results of the Tests for Differences and Associations between the Work-Related Characteristics and Understanding of the Speech-Language Pathologist’s Scope of Practice (N = 294).

4. Discussion

This study assessed the knowledge and perceptions of SLPT among staff nurses in Saudi Arabia. The study presented critical findings on nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of SLPT. As a result, these findings can help improve educational interventions and collaborative practices among nurses to ensure appropriate knowledge and a correct understanding of the scope of practice of the SLP is gained.

Based on the findings of the study, the nurses exhibited very good perceptions of the value of SLPT for providing services to patients who have had a stroke or brain injury, have been on a ventilator for several days, have had trouble swallowing food, and have had received head or neck radiation. Importantly, the nurses were correct in rating foil questions for providing services to patients who have had a persistent vegetative state with tube feeding and have had acute vomiting due to a bowel obstruction. The nurses indicated that it was very important for the SLP to provide services to these patients. The very good perception of the respondents regarding this finding means that the nurses perceived that the SLPT provided by the SLP could substantially improve a patient’s swallowing and communicative abilities. The findings are consistent with a recent study that involved 191 dentists in Jordan where the majority of the participants generally supported the importance of the role of SLP in the healthcare team [ 11 ]. However, several studies in the USA presented opposing results indicating poor knowledge and a lack of understanding of the role and value of SLP among allied healthcare professionals [ 12 ], caregivers of children with speech problems [ 15 ], and male students towards the SLP profession [ 14 ]. In addition, other contrary findings were also reported among allied healthcare students including nursing students in Canada [ 13 ], community residents in Australia [ 16 ], healthcare professionals including nurses in Pakistan, and among registered nurses in South Africa [ 18 ]. The work-related characteristics of the respondents in this study and those studies in other countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, Jordan, Pakistan, South Africa, and the USA) may explain the possible reasons for the conflicting views and perceptions of the role and value of SLP.

On the other hand, the nurses performed poorly when demonstrating their understanding of the scope of practice of the SLP. Only 64.4% of questions were answered correctly, which is lower than the acceptable range of performance of 80% correct or higher. This finding is alarming since it indicates a lack of awareness among the nurses about SLPT. Since the interprofessional practice between the SLP and nurses is essential [ 22 , 24 ], the nurses’ capability to collaborate is a critical component of the professional practice in order to deliver holistic and patient-centered care [ 1 ]. The most frequently missed questions involved patients who had suffered a traumatic brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s dementia, and laryngeal cancer and therefore needed cognitive therapy. The majority of the nurses answered that the patient should not be referred to the SLP, demonstrating their limited understanding of cognitive and language therapy, which is likely the result of their limited experience collaborating with the SLP. The scope of practice for the SLP embraces cognition therapy which includes the emerging practice areas of attention, executive functioning, memory, and problem solving [ 7 , 12 ]. Thus, the patients in these scenarios should receive the SLPT services. This finding is consistent with a previous study in Nova Scotia, Canada, which concluded that students in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy possessed inadequate knowledge regarding the role of the SLP in cognitive and social language therapy [ 13 ]. In addition, another Canadian study suggested that the amount of time spent by the SLP providing communication intervention for non-speaking adults in acute care settings was relatively minimal [ 20 ].

In contrast, the nurses who had not personally received the SLPT services or known someone who had were found to have significant differences from those who had. This finding shows that the respondents who had not personally received the SLPT services or known someone who had still demonstrated a good perception of the value of SLPT for patients needing SLPT. Of note, the familiarity of the nurses with the role of the SLP in the hospital setting was significantly associated with their perceptions of the value of SLPT. This finding could mean that the nurses have good perceptions of the value of SLPT even though the majority of them were unfamiliar with the role of the SLP in the hospital setting. The findings of the current study indicate a good awareness of the scope of practice of the SLP; however, further investigations are necessary. In an international context, this finding contrasts with another study where 49% of the nurses reported that less than 50% of nonspeaking patients were routinely referred to the SLP [ 20 ]. Likewise, a study in India reported that healthcare providers, including nurses, frequently did not refer patients with speech impairments to the SLP, showing a lack of awareness regarding the scope of practice of SLPT [ 25 ]. Although this finding merits further investigation, it is comparable to a recent study in Saudi Arabia where only 4% of the participants (N = 174 nurses) were aware of the role of the SLP in the management of dysphagia for patients with cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries from traffic accidents [ 23 ].

Lastly, the other work-related variables were not found to have significant differences and associations with the nurses’ perceptions of the value of SLPT or with their understanding of the scope of practice of the SLP. Despite the fact that no significant differences and associations were evident in these aspects, nurses must be equipped with sufficient knowledge and the necessary awareness to refer a patient requiring the SLPT services to the SLP. Hence, to improve patient outcomes and ensure the delivery of quality and patient-centered care, it is important to establish better interprofessional collaboration between nurses and the SLP [ 1 , 24 ].

5. Conclusions

The present study revealed that nurses had an overall good understanding of the value and scope of practice of the SLP. This study highlighted nurses’ understanding of the value and scope of practice of the SLP, demonstrating the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between both healthcare professions to achieve better patient outcomes in the study setting. For effective interprofessional collaboration and teamwork, it is vital for nurses to understand the value, role, and scope of practice of the SLP.

Strengths and Limitations

The strength of this study is that it is the first to explore the knowledge and perception of registered nurses regarding the scope of practice of SLP in Saudi Arabia. However, all registered nurses were from the same medical facility which could limit the generalizability of the findings. Consequently, our interpretation of the findings should be viewed as the basis for further research.

Acknowledgments

The authors cordially express their sincere appreciation for the support provided by the Deanship of Scientific Research through the Research Center of the College of Nursing at King Saud University, Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Author Contributions

S.A. contributed to the study design, methods, interpreted the results, critically commented on and wrote the manuscript and did critical revision. M.A. designed the study, reviewed the literature, acquired the data, and critically commented on and wrote the original draft of manuscript. R.T. contributed to the study design and interpreted the results, and reviewed the final draft manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Institutional Review Board of King Saud University (protocol code: E-19-4126; 05 August 2019).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all respondents involved in the study.

Conflicts of Interest

All authors declare no competing interest.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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I feel as if my duty is incomplete if we don’t complain about some consultant who gives a lot of round orders to follow. We notice even who is wearing which lipstick, and we do tell each other about where the sale is going. Most of us even know about each other’s personal matters, and we know who is facing problems at home at the hands of his/her in-laws or spouses. My nurses always wait for me at the time of dinner or lunch whenever I am on duty with them in the inpatient department. The tea available at our hospital cafeteria is really bad, and most of our male nurses go out of the hospital premises to get really good tea from a tea stall at the roadside. They know that after a long and tiring day, I feel very sleepy, and they are so considerate towards me that they always bring tea for me after midnight, even without asking. They are like family to me.

I have always noticed that everyone has a different level of sincerity and passion with which they do their job. I know that our nurses do a great job when it comes to drawing blood samples, maintaining an intravenous line, and administering medications; they even change the patients’ clothes into hospital gowns all on their own. They are overburdened with work, but they still continue to do their work with honesty. Especially the nurses working in oncology, who are more empathetic towards every patient, whether elderly or sick children. They immediately go to listen to the patients whenever they press the bell.

I never realized their love and care towards the patients until the day I got really sick myself. They gave me a hospital bed in our own ward and took the responsibility of administering my medications all on their own, although I was not allowed to get admitted to our own ward. They took care of everything, and when my medication finished, and I wanted to get down from the bed, a nurse even placed my shoes in an ordered manner on the floor with his own hands to get me down from the bed in a comfortable manner. That day I realized how much empathy and consideration they hold towards their patients. A male nurse who works with me in the same ward would come to my home every day just to change my IV and administer all the medications, and that was free of cost because he was really considerate and respectful towards me.

I think you can never get to sleep on your night duty if you are not on good terms with your nurses. They manage the petty issues of the patients themselves if they have a soft corner for their favorite doctor. Otherwise, your duty can be miserable as well if your attitude towards your nurses is not friendly or if you speak to them rudely. It takes time to bond with your nurses, but my advice to all junior doctors, interns, house officers, and residents is to be patient with them until you form that bond. Otherwise, you won’t enjoy your work, and there is a high chance that you will make a lot more mistakes. Your attitude towards patients and your co-workers matters a lot for better coordination, and it not only makes your work simpler but also makes your workplace more comfortable for you to work in.

I want to thank all the nurses working all around the globe who work so honestly and shower their patients with love and care. They play a major role in every patient’s recovery and maintenance of their good spirits throughout their stay in the hospital. We could never do our best without the assistance of our nurses, and their kindness keeps us going.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia, author of Living, Loving and Learning

Damane Zehra is a radiation oncology resident in Pakistan.

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