Speech Therapist Salary

The average Speech Therapist Salary  is calculated by the US Government Bureau of Labor Statistics from a variety of sources. Speech Therapists work in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics and medical offices.  A Speech Therapists salary will vary depending on the location and the setting. Area of specialization also plays a part in how much they earn.  The assumption was made that the Speech Therapists reflected here were working an average of 40 hours per week with a total of 2080 hours per year.

Speech Therapist Salary: Median Hourly & Annual Data

Hourly

A Speech Therapists median salary is $30.64 per hour. The lowest 10% earn $19.33 per hour and those in the upper 10% earn more than $45.55 per hour.

Annually

On an annual basis the median or average Speech Therapist salary is $63,740 The lowest 10% earn less than $40,200 per year while the upper 10% earn more than $94,740 per year. These salaries are calculated as a mean or average.

Lowest and Highest Speech Therapist Salary

The lowest paid Speech Therapists earn mean or average wages below $21.00 per hour.  Presumably this is offset by costs of living and other factors. The lower pay levels are associated with rural areas.  The highest pay levels are found in major metropolitan areas where the mean or average wage is over $32.00 per hour.  Demand and low supply seem to be a significant factor in fueling higher salaries

Top 5 States

The best states to earn a Speech Therapist salary are Nevada $93,010, Connecticut $76,010, New Jersey $75,900, California $74,720, and Ohio $73,970.

Top 5 Metropolitan Areas

The best city or metropolitan areas to be a Speech Therapist are Las Vegas-Paradise, NV $107,120, Danbury, CT $99,700, Scranton—Wilkes-Barre, PA $96,200, Bowling Green, KY $89,270 Athens-Clarke County, GA $89,010.

Other Industries that Employ Speech Therapists

Diagnostic laboratories, home health agencies, community care centers for the elderly and nursing care facilities also employ the services of the speech therapist.

Employment Data

It is estimated that there are 107,340 Speech Therapists employed in the U.S.

Where They Work

Over 84,000 speech therapists work in elementary and secondary schools, hospitals and healthcare practitioner offices.

Private Practice Vs Employment

Speech Therapists work semi-autonomously and have some opportunity to establish an independent or consulting practice. The same skills and qualities required to operate a small business will be of benefit to the speech therapist considering self-employment.  Loss of employer provided benefits should be taken into consideration when making the decision to be self-employed. 

Benefits

Fringe benefits will vary depending on business size and other factors. A typical employment benefits package is worth over $20,000 per year.