Market Demand

Employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to increase by 19% from 2022-2032, much faster than the average for all occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. More SLPs will be needed to meet the needs of the aging baby-boomer population, including treatment of communication and swallowing disorders associated with strokes, dementia and other conditions associated with an aging population.  SLPs are also in greater demand to address the social and communication needs of children with autism, a population that has grown significantly in recent years.  Medical advances that have improved survival rates for premature infants, as well as victims of stroke or head trauma, have led to the need for more SLPs, as has an increased awareness of speech-language disorders and the availability of treatment for these conditions.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) lists the median salary for speech-language pathologists as $84,140 per year, with a median hourly wage of $40.45. Illinois ranks within the top five states in terms of number of SLPs employed.


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