We surveyed 2,217 speech language pathologists to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical speech language pathologist. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a speech language pathologist?

Low

High

Working as a speech language pathologist typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that speech language pathologists are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.

Can I learn to become a speech language pathologist?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a speech language pathologist typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a speech language pathologist?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a speech language pathologist. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for speech language pathologists.

Info

Do speech language pathologists work full-time or part-time?

83% of speech language pathologists work in full-time roles while 17% work part-time.

Is being a speech language pathologist stressful?

Low

High

Stress is very commonplace for speech language pathologists, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as a speech language pathologist?

Low

High

Organization is considered a very important trait for speech language pathologists, and is critical to success in the field.

How competitive is the workplace for speech language pathologists?

Low

High

Competition at work is not common for speech language pathologists.

Does being a speech language pathologist require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Speech language pathologists will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.

Are speech language pathologists allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Speech language pathologists are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.

Do speech language pathologists have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally speech language pathologists will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.

Is being a speech language pathologist physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a speech language pathologists is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.

Are speech language pathologists exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

While sometimes repetitive, speech language pathologists tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.

Does being a speech language pathologist require attention to detail?

Low

High

As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for speech language pathologists.

Does being a good speech language pathologist require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

Strong compassion and empathy are critical to success as a speech language pathologist.