Disciplines / SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
SLPAs deliver speech and language treatment to plan under SLP supervision, carrying much of the direct therapy load in schools and pediatric clinics.
- Advertised pay
- $25/hr – $40/hr
- Credential
- State SLPA licensure or registration; ASHA SLPA certification in some states
- Live roles
- None open today
What is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA), and what does the role pay?
What the role does
- Deliver treatment sessions written by the supervising SLP
- Document progress and session data
- Prepare materials and support AAC use
- Support classroom carryover and family practice
Credential and route in
State SLPA licensure or registration; ASHA SLPA certification in some states · State licensing boards, with ASHA SLPA certification available nationally
- 1Associate degree in an SLPA program, or a bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders
- 2Supervised field experience hours
- 3State licensure or registration
- 4Ongoing SLP supervision at the required ratio
Advertised pay
| Career stage | Advertised pay | What typically sits behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $25/hr | Newly credentialed, supervised caseload |
| Mid-career | $32/hr | Full caseload, independent, some supervision of others |
| Senior | $40/hr | Lead or multi-site scope, clinical quality ownership |
Ranges reflect what we typically see advertised on roles we recruit for in the US. They are a market guide, not a survey, and vary by setting, caseload and experience. Last reviewed August 2026.
Full SLPA salary guideWhere SLPAs work
School districts · Pediatric outpatient clinics · Early intervention · Teletherapy
Specialties
- School-based servicesDistrict-employed and contract services across special education: evaluations, IEP-aligned therapy, behavior support and school mental health.
- Early interventionBirth-to-three programs delivering developmental, speech, occupational and behavioral support in homes and community settings.
- Pediatric therapyOutpatient pediatric speech, occupational and physical therapy clinics, frequently multidisciplinary alongside ABA.
- Telehealth and virtual careRemote therapy, teletherapy, telepsychiatry and remote supervision across state lines, delivered by platforms and traditional providers alike.
Demand right now
Rising sharply as districts and clinics restructure caseloads around a supervising SLP with SLPA delivery.
Hiring SLPAs?
SLPA models only work when supervision time is scheduled and protected. We check that before listing the role.
Submit a roleLive SLPA roles
No live SLPA roles today. Join the talent network and we will contact you when one opens in your state.
Join the talent networkQuestions we get asked
- Do SLPA requirements differ by state?
- Considerably. Some states license SLPAs, some register them, and supervision ratios differ. Check the state board before you accept a role across state lines.
Related roles
- Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)SLPs assess and treat communication, language, feeding and swallowing across pediatric and adult caseloads, in schools, clinics and medical settings.$72k – $108k
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)COTAs deliver occupational therapy interventions under OT supervision across pediatric, school and rehabilitation caseloads.$28/hr – $42/hr
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)RBTs deliver the direct therapy hours that make ABA work: running programs, collecting data and building rapport with clients session after session.$20/hr – $30/hr