> Source: https://coursetojob.com/careers/speech-and-language-therapist/ — updated 2026-09-26 · language: en > Markdown version of this CourseToJob page for AI agents. The HTML page is canonical. Data licence CC BY 4.0: cite the page URL and the original statistical source. Health and care # Speech and language therapist Degree required Licensed profession in most countries Also known as: Speech-language pathologist · Speech therapist · Speech pathologist · Logopedist Updated September 26, 2026 [How we use data](https://coursetojob.com/methodology/) Quick answer Speech and language therapists assess and treat people who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking or swallowing. They work with children whose speech or language develops late and with adults affected by stroke, brain injury, cancer or conditions such as Parkinson's disease. You need a degree or graduate qualification in the subject, and most work in health services, schools or private practice. ## What does a speech and language therapist do? - Assess speech, language, voice, fluency and swallowing using tests and observation. - Plan and deliver therapy for problems such as delayed language, stammering or unclear speech. - Assess swallowing problems and advise on safe eating and drinking to prevent choking and chest infections. - Help people who cannot speak to communicate in other ways, such as signs, symbols or electronic devices. - Train parents, teachers and care staff to support communication every day. - Work with doctors, occupational therapists, psychologists and teachers as part of a wider team. - Write reports and keep records of progress. ### Where do they work? Speech and language therapists work in hospitals, community clinics, schools, special education services, children's centres, care homes, rehabilitation units and patients' homes. Many work in private practice or for local education services. Hospital therapists often focus on adults with swallowing problems after stroke or surgery, while school-based therapists mostly work with children. Hours are usually regular, with some travel between sites, and the role involves a lot of report writing. ## What skills do you need? - Knowledge of language, speech and linguistics - Anatomy of the head, neck and brain - Careful listening and observation - Patience and creativity in therapy - Working well with children and families - Clear written reports - Teamwork across health and education - Cultural and language awareness ### Official skills profile (ESCO) Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations. - [interact with healthcare users](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/c65aa043-98da-4136-9877-494e72d9e4cf) - [Motivate patiens](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/e54dc9c5-0f7f-4503-9776-efff47902602) - [diagnose speech disorders](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/c9e1cb88-bd7c-463d-83b2-2bd197a3114c) - [counsel on communication disorders](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/ae3e863c-8803-4de9-86f1-ed5afe7d24d3) - [provide health education](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/60b2dd49-c677-4f47-816e-aff3b577e113) - [record healthcare users' progress related to treatment](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/342af3a1-4fdc-4ddc-898a-bb82a7f62efe) - [conduct research on speech-related topics](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/17e222ea-b04a-4b8c-961d-6552c1ea7589) - [work in multidisciplinary health teams](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/eba85523-6ad2-4cd9-9b27-a0b6a39b8cfa) - [formulate a case conceptualisation model for therapy](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/48a63f52-60e3-433a-bd10-7e38d3e503fa) - [contribute to continuity of health care](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/13724e7d-b946-4773-915e-9621340237bc) - [teach communication methods](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/f5122357-c3f7-4f3e-b0cc-25173199d554) - [apply health sciences](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/a49fdda1-abd1-40e0-a824-3c545d98f32e) **Essential knowledge:** lip reading · first aid · sign language · phoniatrics · medical informatics · medical terminology · hygiene in a health care setting · speech techniques ## How do you become a speech and language therapist? You need a qualification approved by the national regulator or professional body. In the UK, Australia and many other countries, this is usually a three- or four-year bachelor's degree in speech and language therapy, or a two-year graduate-entry master's for people who already have a degree. In the United States and Canada, you need a master's degree in speech-language pathology, and in the United States this is followed by a supervised clinical fellowship and a national exam. Useful first degrees include linguistics, psychology, languages and biology. All routes include supervised placements with children and adults. 1. **Speech and language therapy degree.** A bachelor's degree typically lasts three to four years and covers linguistics, psychology, anatomy, neurology and therapy methods, with clinical placements. It is the main route in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries, where it leads straight to registration or professional membership. 2. **Graduate-entry master's.** If you already have a degree, often in linguistics, psychology, languages, biology or education, you can take a graduate-entry master's of around two years in countries such as the UK and Australia. In the United States and Canada, a master's is the standard entry route, and many applicants take preparatory courses first. 3. **Assistant route.** Speech and language therapy assistants support qualified therapists in schools, hospitals and the community. This is a good way to test your interest and gain experience. In some countries, such as the UK, apprenticeships allow assistants to train as fully qualified therapists while they work. ### Degrees that lead to this career - **[Psychology](https://coursetojob.com/subjects/psychology/)** — A psychology degree is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour: how people think, feel, learn, develop and relate to each other. 6 linked careers - **[Modern languages](https://coursetojob.com/subjects/modern-languages/)** — A modern languages degree teaches you to speak, write and understand one or more foreign languages to a high level, together with the culture, history and literature of the places where they are spoken. 5 linked careers - **[English literature](https://coursetojob.com/subjects/english-literature/)** — An English literature degree teaches you to read, analyse and write about novels, poetry, plays and other texts written in English, from medieval writing to the present day. 6 linked careers - **[Biology](https://coursetojob.com/subjects/biology/)** — A biology degree teaches how living things work, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems. 6 linked careers [Ready to apply? Build a free CV and cover letter with our CV builder](https://coursetojob.co.uk/careers/cv-builder/) ## Do you need a licence to work as a speech and language therapist? Speech and language therapy is a regulated profession in many countries, and titles such as "speech and language therapist" or "speech-language pathologist" are often protected. In the UK you must register with a national regulator. In the United States, states license speech-language pathologists, and many employers also expect national certification. In some countries, including Australia, the profession is self-regulated through a professional association. Check the rules where you want to work, as titles and scope differ. ## How much does a speech and language therapist earn? ### Pay in the United States - **$97,870** Median annual wage, May 2025 - **$62,900–$134,160** Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10% - **183.4K** People employed in the US US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 29-1127, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed. ### Earnings of Professionals around the world Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes speech and language therapist and many other occupations. | Country | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees | Year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Netherlands](https://coursetojob.com/countries/netherlands/) | €6,217 | 8,102 | +22% | 2025 | | [Germany](https://coursetojob.com/countries/germany/) | €5,315 | 7,389 | +41% | 2022 | | [France](https://coursetojob.com/countries/france/) | €5,314 | 7,255 | +43% | 2025 | | [Switzerland](https://coursetojob.com/countries/switzerland/) | CHF 7,600 | 7,133 | +27% | 2025 | | [Ireland](https://coursetojob.com/countries/ireland/) | €6,252 | 6,917 | +56% | 2025 | | [Spain](https://coursetojob.com/countries/spain/) | €4,153 | 6,832 | +57% | 2025 | | [United States](https://coursetojob.com/countries/united-states/) | $6,673 | 6,673 | +49% | 2025 | | [Italy](https://coursetojob.com/countries/italy/) | €3,716 | 5,762 | +19% | 2025 | | [Sweden](https://coursetojob.com/countries/sweden/) | €4,398 | 5,491 | +13% | 2025 | | [United Kingdom](https://coursetojob.com/countries/united-kingdom/) | £3,501 | 4,991 | +29% | 2025 | | [Türkiye](https://coursetojob.com/countries/turkiye/) | TRY 60,000 | 3,381 | +100% | 2025 | | [South Africa](https://coursetojob.com/countries/south-africa/) | ZAR 17,000 | 2,292 | +209% | 2020 | | [Brazil](https://coursetojob.com/countries/brazil/) | R$5,000 | 1,937 | +127% | 2025 | | [India](https://coursetojob.com/countries/india/) | ₹32,000 | 1,613 | +113% | 2025 | | [Philippines](https://coursetojob.com/countries/philippines/) | ₱30,417 | 1,466 | +100% | 2024 | | [Mexico](https://coursetojob.com/countries/mexico/) | MX$14,745 | 1,304 | +68% | 2025 | | [Egypt](https://coursetojob.com/countries/egypt/) | EGP 5,000 | 719 | +10% | 2024 | | [Indonesia](https://coursetojob.com/countries/indonesia/) | IDR 2,759,817 | 537 | +23% | 2023 | | [Pakistan](https://coursetojob.com/countries/pakistan/) | PKR 34,640 | 530 | +34% | 2025 | | [Nigeria](https://coursetojob.com/countries/nigeria/) | NGN 50,000 | 188 | 0% | 2024 | Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country. ## Career progression 1. Newly qualified therapist 2. Speech and language therapist 3. Specialist therapist 4. Advanced or lead therapist 5. Service manager or consultant therapist ## Job outlook Demand is high in many countries, driven by growing awareness of children's language needs, ageing populations and more people living with the effects of stroke and conditions such as dementia. Waiting lists for therapy are long in many public services. The profession is small, and in some countries jobs are concentrated in cities. Therapists who speak more than one language are especially valuable, because services increasingly support multilingual families. ## Questions about becoming a speech and language therapist **What is the difference between a speech therapist and a speech-language pathologist?** They are the same profession with different titles. Speech-language pathologist is used in the United States and Canada, speech pathologist in Australia, and speech and language therapist in the UK and Ireland. Speech therapist is an informal name used in many countries, and many European countries use logopedist or a similar title. Training and work are broadly similar everywhere. **How long does it take to become a speech and language therapist?** A bachelor's degree usually takes three to four years. If you already have a degree, a graduate-entry master's takes around two years. In the United States, you need a bachelor's degree, a two-year master's and then a supervised clinical fellowship of around a year, so it often takes seven years or more in total. **Can you become a speech therapist with a psychology or linguistics degree?** Yes, but not directly. A psychology, linguistics, languages or biology degree does not qualify you on its own, but it is a strong base for a graduate-entry master's in speech and language therapy. Programmes often ask for study of linguistics or human biology and for experience with children or people with communication difficulties. Check each programme's entry requirements. **Do speech and language therapists only work with children?** No. Many work with children, but many others work with adults. They help people with speech and language problems after a stroke or brain injury, voice problems, stammering, and swallowing difficulties caused by conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's disease or head and neck cancer. Swallowing assessment is a major part of hospital work. ## Related careers - **[Occupational therapist](https://coursetojob.com/careers/occupational-therapist/)** — Occupational therapists help people of all ages manage the everyday activities that matter to them, such as washing, dressing, working, studying or playing, after illness, injury or disability or with a mental health condition. Degree required · Licensed - **[Clinical psychologist](https://coursetojob.com/careers/clinical-psychologist/)** — Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental health problems and emotional difficulties, such as depression, anxiety, trauma and eating disorders, mainly through psychological assessment and talking therapies. Degree required · Licensed - **[Physiotherapist](https://coursetojob.com/careers/physiotherapist/)** — Physiotherapists help people move better, manage pain and recover from injury, illness, surgery or disability, using exercise, hands-on treatment and advice. Degree required · Licensed - **[Primary school teacher](https://coursetojob.com/careers/primary-teacher/)** — Primary school teachers teach children aged about five or six to eleven or twelve, usually covering most subjects with one class. Degree usually needed · Licensed ## Sources 1. [US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/) — SOC 29-1127, national estimates, May 2025 2. [ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation](https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/) — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country 3. [European Commission — ESCO occupation profile](https://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/8021f3a2-e3de-43c0-b366-075da74dc5b7) — ESCO code 2266.2 **How to cite this page:** CourseToJob (2026). How do you become a speech and language therapist?. https://coursetojob.com/careers/speech-and-language-therapist/ (accessed September 26, 2026) [Report a data or content issue](mailto:hello@elitedigitalagency.io?subject=Data%20issue%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fcoursetojob.com%2Fcareers%2Fspeech-and-language-therapist%2F) ## Key facts - **Occupation group:** Professionals (ISCO-08 2266) - **ESCO:** [speech and language therapist](https://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/8021f3a2-e3de-43c0-b366-075da74dc5b7) (2266.2) - **US occupation code (SOC):** 29-1127 - **Degree:** Degree required - **Regulation:** Licensed profession in most countries - **US median pay:** $97,870 (2025) - **Official names in this language:** speech and language therapist · speech pathologist · practitioner in speech and language therapy · speech therapy practitioner · paediatric speech therapist **On this page** 1. What does a speech and language therapist do? 2. What skills do you need? 3. How do you become a speech and language therapist? 4. How much does a speech and language therapist earn? 5. Frequently asked questions Machine-readable: [JSON](https://coursetojob.com/api/v1/careers/speech-and-language-therapist.json) · [Markdown](https://coursetojob.com/careers/speech-and-language-therapist.md)