Speech Therapists?

Question

I am working on my master degree in SLP, and I would like to work with children. however, I heard that SLPs working in hospitals or with adults make a lot more money.

Is this true?

Answer 1

True. SLPs who work in the "medical" field (hospitals/clinics) make considerable more money than those who work in the school system.

As I understand it, those who work in the hospitals mainly focus on swallowing and rehabilitation speech rather than phonetics and articulation. If you have an interest in these two fields (swallowing/rehab.) then definately look into becoming employeed by a local children's hospital.

I know, I love children and would love to do SLP work with them, but I couldn't stand to see a child in a hospital unable to tell his parents that he loves them b/c he's been battling cancer and lost his larynx. It would make me cry.

Answer 2

Yes, but...

When you consider that SLP's in the education setting get summers off, winter vacations, and aren't on call, the money becomes much less a factor.

Plus, in an education setting you get to track your students' progress.  Whereas, in an outpatient or hospital setting you typically see a lot of patients, do a lot of studies, diagnose them, treat them, and discharge them.

For me, it's nice to watch the kids develop and not have to deal with my patients dying.

So, from my point of view, the education setting is the place to be if your monthly paycheck isn't your only consideration.  Oh, and you can always get a summer job or provide private services in the summers if you really need the money.

Either way, the paperwork is a pain.  It's a great career.  Good luck!

Answer 3

you can work in pvt practice and serve pediatrics. You will make a small amount more than working as a school SLP

Answer 4

Yes it is true which is why sadly schools have a hard time recruiting SLP's - Public Schools cannot begin to compete with the kind of financing behind the Medical Community - but we need you and the children need you.