Career profile · 31-9099
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.
What the work can involve
- Document clients' progress toward meeting established treatment objectives.
- Implement treatment plans or protocols as directed by speech-language pathologists.
- Collect and compile data to document clients' performance or assess program quality.
- Perform support duties, such as preparing materials, keeping records, maintaining supplies, and scheduling activities.
- Assist speech-language pathologists in the remediation or development of speech and language skills.
- Select or prepare speech-language instructional materials.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This broad O*NET group commonly involves vocational training, related experience or an associate-level route. It does not mean every course in a related subject meets the requirements.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Health Unit Coordinator/Ward Clerk19 institutions →
- Medical/Health Management and Clinical Assistant/Specialist25 institutions →
- Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller190 institutions →
- Medical Staff Services Technology/Technician8 institutions →
- Health and Medical Administrative Services, Other73 institutions →
- Radiologist Assistant9 institutions →
- Lactation Consultant6 institutions →
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant14 institutions →
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other95 institutions →
- Medication Aide35 institutions →
- Rehabilitation Aide13 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Constant contact with others | 76.5%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 66.9%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 45.6%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 100.0%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Spend Time Sitting | More than half the time | 59.6%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Spend Time Standing | Less than half the time | 63.6%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | Never | 34.1%08/2022 · sample 16 |
| Time Pressure | Once a month or more but not every week | 31.9%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Never | 76.5%08/2022 · sample 17 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 71.7%08/2022 · sample 17 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Analytical or scientific software: Language analysis software, Signal analysis software, Speech analysis software
- Electronic mail software: Email software
- Internet browser software: Web browser software
- Medical software: Biofeedback software, Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor, ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources, KayPENTAX Multi-Speech
- Music or sound editing software: Adobe Audition
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel
- Text to speech conversion software: Text to speech software
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for speech-language pathology assistants
This O*NET specialty shares the BLS 31-9099 occupation series. Pay is measured for Healthcare Support Workers, All Other, not separately for this specialty.
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,760 | $17.68 | 660 |
| Alaska | $61,300 | $29.47 | 120 |
| Arizona | $49,940 | $24.01 | 3,070 |
| Arkansas | $38,040 | $18.29 | 790 |
| California | $49,130 | $23.62 | 23,590 |
| Colorado | $47,330 | $22.76 | 2,650 |
| Connecticut | $44,550 | $21.42 | 1,550 |
| Delaware | $57,760 | $27.77 | 110 |
| District of Columbia | $73,590 | $35.38 | 400 |
| Florida | $45,700 | $21.97 | 5,550 |
| Georgia | $46,750 | $22.48 | 2,040 |
| Hawaii | $48,620 | $23.37 | 1,400 |
| Idaho | $52,160 | $25.08 | 220 |
| Illinois | $48,360 | $23.25 | 1,330 |
| Indiana | $49,900 | $23.99 | 590 |
| Iowa | $44,720 | $21.50 | 470 |
| Kansas | $54,830 | $26.36 | 240 |
| Kentucky | $46,020 | $22.13 | 770 |
| Louisiana | $34,040 | $16.37 | 4,100 |
| Maine | $49,100 | $23.61 | 420 |
| Maryland | $43,680 | $21.00 | 3,170 |
| Massachusetts | $58,340 | $28.05 | 1,680 |
| Michigan | $40,280 | $19.36 | 2,220 |
| Minnesota | $45,930 | $22.08 | 2,940 |
| Mississippi | $34,900 | $16.78 | 520 |
| Missouri | $39,940 | $19.20 | 4,410 |
| Montana | $41,410 | $19.91 | 350 |
| Nebraska | $39,140 | $18.82 | 430 |
| Nevada | $50,790 | $24.42 | 1,280 |
| New Hampshire | $45,460 | $21.86 | 450 |
| New Jersey | $49,600 | $23.85 | 2,640 |
| New Mexico | $52,170 | $25.08 | 450 |
| New York | $56,510 | $27.17 | 5,470 |
| North Carolina | $47,080 | $22.64 | 2,470 |
| North Dakota | $47,010 | $22.60 | 280 |
| Ohio | $43,620 | $20.97 | 1,360 |
| Oklahoma | $49,940 | $24.01 | 540 |
| Oregon | $47,510 | $22.84 | 2,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,160 | $21.71 | 4,160 |
| Rhode Island | $47,600 | $22.88 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $49,730 | $23.91 | 860 |
| South Dakota | $44,610 | $21.45 | 260 |
| Tennessee | $47,940 | $23.05 | 1,230 |
| Texas | $45,250 | $21.76 | 10,320 |
| Utah | $46,800 | $22.50 | 830 |
| Vermont | $47,370 | $22.78 | 300 |
| Virginia | $46,060 | $22.14 | 2,180 |
| Washington | $62,040 | $29.83 | 3,140 |
| West Virginia | $38,740 | $18.63 | 780 |
| Wisconsin | $44,850 | $21.56 | 1,810 |
| Wyoming | $49,940 | $24.01 | 180 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 375 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
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Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 31-9099.01.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.