by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Speech-Language Pathology Assistant explores Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Speech-Language Pathologists, To Assist In The Provision Of Speech-Language Pathology Services To Individuals Of All Ages, Including Screenings And Assessments, Following Treatment Plans Or Protocols, Documenting And Reporting Patient Performance, Performing Checks And Maintenance Of Equipment, And Providing Support In Research Projects. Includes Instruction In Speech And Language Development, Phonetics, Childhood And Adult Communication Disorders, Speech And Hearing Screening, And Clinical Procedures In Speech-Language Pathology. Read on to learn the important information every speech-language pathology assistant major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering speech-language pathology assistant programs.
Nationwide, speech-language pathology assistant is a widely-pursued major, with 363 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Schools ranking analyzes these 21 schools to determine the best overall colleges for speech-language pathology assistant students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of speech-language pathology assistant programs later in this article.
Studies in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations speech-language pathology assistant graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a speech-language pathology assistant program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a speech-language pathology assistant major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several speech-language pathology assistant degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 64 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 136 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 82 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 81 |
People currently working in careers related to speech-language pathology assistant tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 36.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.5% |
| Master’s degree | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 1.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in speech-language pathology assistant careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in speech-language pathology assistant can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to speech-language pathology assistant.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to speech-language pathology assistant.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | 866,044 | 14.8% |
| Endoscopy Technicians | 708,506 | 7.8% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | 191,989 | 3.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of speech-language pathology assistant graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,434 |
| 4 years | $29,082 |
| 5 years | $32,352 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for speech-language pathology assistant graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers speech-language pathology assistant grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,362 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | $48,496 |
| Endoscopy Technicians | $40,643 |
With 21 different speech-language pathology assistant programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased speech-language pathology assistant school rankings to help you.
Students interested in speech-language pathology assistant, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 52,819 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 7,541 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,633 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,065 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 3,923 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,178 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,513 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 614 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant | 431 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 423 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
