Speech and language pathology addresses impediments in speaking caused by medical and psychological conditions such as strokes, autism and other developmental disabilities, and sudden trauma or head injuries. A speech language pathologist asssistant helps a speech pathologist perform their duties. Speech language pathologist assistants earn on a mean basis $42,276 in the United States and C$46,000 ($35,663 USD) in Canada. The figure reaches £18,005 ($25,258 USD) in the United Kingdom. In Australia, a speech language pathologist assistant salary is around AU$78,607 ($60,443 USD, while in New Zealand it is around NZD$65,955 ($47,748 USD).
How Much Does a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Make?
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Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Salary Determinant Factors
Salaries for speech language pathologist assistants can very significantly because of the types of employers that hire these assistants. Work settings can include public schools, hospitals, speech therapy clinics or centers specializing in therapy for those with autism. Whether the employer resides in the private sector or public sector can shape pay. Experience also contributes to higher earnings, especially in certain regions.
1. How Much Does a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Make by Country?
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Salary in US
The mean reaches $42,276 for speech language pathologist assistants in the United States. Salaries range from $25,916 to $63,225.
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Salary in Canada
PayScale puts the mean for speech language pathologist assistants in Canada at C$46,000. Salaries start on average around C$29,900 and climb up to C$62,773.
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Salary in UK
According to PayScale, the mean for speech-language pathology assistants in the United Kingdom stands at £18,005. At the low end of the spectrum, salaries rest at £10,570. Assistants at PayScale’s higher end average earnings of £20,492.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service says salaries for speech and language therapy assistants range from £15,250 and £22,500.
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Salary in Australia
In Australia, speech language pathologist assistants earn a mean salary of AU$78,607. The salary range as reported by SalaryExpert spans from AU$57,671 to AU$96,279.
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Salary in New Zealand
As stated by SalaryExpert, the mean rests at NZD$65,955 for speech language pathologist assistants in New Zealand. These assistants earn between NZD$48,350 and NZD$80,719 in the country.
2. How Much Does a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Make According to Experience?
PayScale reports mean pay of $42,000 for speech language pathologist assistants in the United States with less than five years of experience. Those in the five to ten-year interval reach an average of $50,000. Mean pay dips to $46,000 for assistants with ten to 20 years in the field, then rises to $53,000 for those beyond 20 years in the occupation.
In Canada, entry-level assistants earn six percent less than the national mean of C$46,000, while the pay for those with five to ten years of experience ascends above the average by seven percent.
According to the National Careers Service, “Speech and Language Therapy Assistants” in the United Kingdom earn £15,250 to £18,000 as “starters,” £17,000 to £19,500 as “Experienced” ones, and £19,250 to £22,500 as “Highly Experienced” assistants.
Assistants with up to three years of experience can anticipate a mean pay of AU$57,671, according to SalaryExpert. Pay at the senior-level of experience averages AU$96,279. In New Zealand, entry-level speech language pathology assistants can expect to earn NZD$48,350 on a mean basis. By achieving senior-level status, or at least eight years in the field, mean salary can reach NZD$80,719.
3. How Much Does a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Make According to Work Environment?
Generally, speech-language pathology assistants can garner higher pay in clinical and medical settings or in nursing or skilled care facilities, especially where healthcare companies afford the services. Pay in educational settings may prove lower as many schools are funded by governmental agencies that must budget for other functions.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service pays starting speech and language therapy assistants on “Band 2,” which is at a range of £15,404 to £18,157. Those who achieve “Band 3” status can fetch between £16,968 and £19,852 and those become “Advanced Practitioners” can earn from £19,409 to £22,683.
As for location, speech language pathologist assistants earn 20 percent above the national mean in Austin, TX, 18 percent more in Houston and 17 percent higher in Los Angeles.
Salaries for these assistants run on a mean basis at AU$83,682 in Sydney, nearly AU$5,000 above the national mean. In Perth, speech language pathologist assistants can expect to make below the Australian nationwide mean, at AU$75,802.
In Wellington, New Zealand, the mean pay is NZD$66,095, slightly north of the national mean of NZD$65,955. The mean earnings for these assistants in Christchurch slips under the national mean, at NZD$64,929.
Working Hours
Speech and language pathologist assistants are fairly represented in both full-time and part-time positions. According to O*NET, roughly 46 percent of speech language pathologist assistants in the United States work more than 40 hours per week, while 47 percent log under 40 hours a week.
Schedules for speech and language pathologist assistants generally follow weekdays and daytimes. Some speech pathology centers, such as those serving children, may operate on evenings or weekends so as to not interfere with regular school hours.
Bonuses and Benefits
According to PayScale, speech language pathologist assistants in the United States received bonuses between $101 and $5,960. SalaryExpert reports mean bonuses of AU$959 for those employed in Australia and NZD$805 for those in New Zealand.
Seven out of ten speech language pathologist assistants in Canada have medical coverage and 65 percent have dental benefits. The coverage rate for vision benefits stands at 48 percent, reports PayScale.
In the United States, medical coverage goes to nearly six out of ten speech langugage pathologist assistants. Approximately 44 percent report to PayScale having dental benefits, while 34 percent have vision care.
Career Prospects
The employment trends for speech pathologists or speech therapists can predict to some extent the hiring prospects for assistants in the field. Overall, demand for speech and language therapy is sustained by patients who suffer strokes or children who experience autism and other speech impediments.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of speech-language pathologists should climb by 18 percent, or 25,900 additional positions, by 2026. Shortages of speech-language pathologists in schools may result in more reliance upon pathology and therapy assistants to provide services. According to a 2012 Speech-Language Hearing Association survey, 45.1 percent of respondents who noted shortages of clinical speech-language pathologists and assistants relied on assistants to fill the gaps.
Job Bank Canada projects by 2024 that Canada will have new 5,200 openings for audiologists and speech language pathologists. The country had 13,300 such professionals in 2015.
Australia has a relatively small field of speech pathologists and therapists, numbering 9,200 in 2017. Job Outlook Australia projects 12,100 by 2022, suggesting solid growth for assistant positions.
The New Zealand Government rates hiring of speech therapists as “average,” citing that more experience improves chances for employment.
Conclusion
Employment of speech and language pathology assistants should grow due to the demand for treatments of speech impediments and the prevalence of health conditions that create them. In at least the near-term, hiring processes may prove competitive due to the currently small number of assistants and available positions. Entrants into the field can, with experience and choice of work environment, enhance their pay.
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