Speech-language pathologists
SOC Code: 29-1127
Speech-language pathologists carries a 47% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $95,410 and +15.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 187,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 47% AI exposure, Speech-language pathologists sits 10 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 83% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Speech-language pathologists sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Speech-language pathologists has ai exposure of 47%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Speech-language pathologists vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Speech-language pathologists is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127) carries an AI exposure score of 47%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 187,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +15.0% change through 2034 - a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $95,410, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Master's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Speech-language pathologists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
- 2. Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- 3. Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- 4. Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- 5. Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
- 6. Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
- 7. Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
- 8. Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
- 9. Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
- 10. Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Writing
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Instructing
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Administrative
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Communications and Media
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Speech-language pathologists?
Speech-language pathologists has an AI exposure score of 47%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Speech-language pathologists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Speech-language pathologists is projected to grow by 15.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 187,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Speech-language pathologists?
Key skills for Speech-language pathologists include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Master's degree.
How much do Speech-language pathologists earn?
The median annual wage for Speech-language pathologists is $95,410, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Speech-language pathologists?
The typical entry-level education for Speech-language pathologists is Master's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Internship/residency. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Speech-language pathologists?
Speech-language pathologists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).