Speech and language therapist

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
• Motivate patiens
• diagnose speech disorders
• counsel on communication disorders
• provide health education
• record healthcare users' progress related to treatment
• conduct research on speech-related topics
• work in multidisciplinary health teams
• formulate a case conceptualisation model for therapy
• contribute to continuity of health care
• teach communication methods
• apply health sciences

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

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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

• $97,870Median annual wage, May 2025
• $62,900–$134,160Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 183.4KPeople 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.

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.

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Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 29-1127, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — 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)

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