How to become a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Official title: Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

Also called: Communication Assistant, Speech Assistant, Speech Paraeducator, Speech Pathologist Assistant, Speech Therapy Assistant, Speech-Language Assistant, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA), Speech-Language Pathologists Assistant (SLPA), Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA), Speech-Language Technician

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.

Main tasks

• 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.
• Assist speech-language pathologists in the conduct of client screenings or assessments of language, voice, fluency, articulation, or hearing.
• Prepare charts, graphs, or other visual displays to communicate clients' performance information.

How to become one

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Ways in

• Licence: A licence is required in 23 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $48,430 a year The middle half earn $39,470 to $59,710.
• About 113,900 people work in this job now, and about 119,400 are projected by 2035. (+4.8%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

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Questions people ask

How much does a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $48,430 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $39,470 to $59,710.

Is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 113,900 to about 119,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant?

Not always. 28% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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 the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.