Individuals who are interested in working in the field of communicative disorders may consider becoming an audiologist, special education teacher or speech-language pathologist. Career requirements generally include the completion of a specialized undergraduate or graduate degree program in addition to professional licensure.
Essential Information
Jobs specific to the field of communicative disorders involve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems that impair the ability to hear or speak intelligibly. Careers include speech language pathology, audiology and special education. Employment can be found in schools, hospitals, home health care businesses, child daycare facilities, nursing homes and outpatient care centers. Education requirements vary from a bachelor's degree with licensure for special education teachers, to a doctoral degree and licensure for audiologists.
| Career | Audiologist | Special Education Teacher | Speech-Language Pathologist |
| Education Requirements | Doctoral degree and licensure | Bachelor's degree and licensure | Master's degree |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 13% | 3% | 25% |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $81,030 | $61,420 | $80,480 |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Audiologist
Audiologists are health care professionals that diagnose and treat people with ear-related problems, such as balance and hearing impairments. Diagnostic tests performed by audiologists include measurement of how well one discerns different sounds and measurement of the volume at which an individual hears sound. Audiologists determine the extent to which balance disorders and hearing loss impact an individual's life and counsel patients on adjusting to life with hearing loss. Teaching strategies for communication and training patients on the use of hearing instruments are also duties of the audiologist. Treatment options might involve fitting for hearing aids, cochlear implants and ear canal cleaning.
Audiologists must complete a doctoral degree in audiology and state licensure requirements.
Due to the strong link between aging and hearing loss, as the population ages the number of people anticipated to have hearing problems is expected to rise. These factors led the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to predict that employment for audiologists would grow 13% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because the field is small, relatively few job openings are anticipated. The median salary for audiologists as of May 2020 was $81,030.
Special Education Teacher
Special education professionals work in preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools teaching basic literacy and life skills to students with severe disabilities. Special education teachers modify the general curriculum to meet students' ability levels. Speech and language impairments are among the disabilities that special education teachers identify and work with students to overcome.
The BLS predicted that jobs for special education teachers would grow 3% between the years 2019-2029, which is about as fast as the average. Teacher retirements may increase job prospects for special education teachers, and demand for special education teachers is expected to be high in urban and rural areas. As of May 2020, the BLS reported that the median salary for special education teachers in kindergarten through elementary school was $60,620. Special education teachers in middle school made a median of $61,820 and secondary school special education teachers made $62,320.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat patients who have difficulty with oral communication and oral abilities, such as swallowing, due to developmental disorders, hearing loss, emotional problems or brain injury. Cognitive communication, fluency, language, speech and voice problems are treated by speech-language pathologists through speech therapy. In some cases, the pathologists teach alternative communications, such as sign language.
Speech-language pathologists need a master's degree that includes coursework in speech pathology, communications, communication methodology and swallowing physiology.
The BLS predicted job growth for speech-language pathologists to increase 25%, much faster than the average for all occupations, from 2019 to 2029. One reason for this growth is the increase in the aged population who have an increased risk of neurological disorders that cause speech-related impairments. As of May 2020, the median salary for speech-language pathologists was $80,480, according to the BLS.
Individuals interested in careers helping people overcome balance and hearing impairments, oral communication problems and other learning or developmental disabilities might consider careers related to communicative disorders. While employment for special education teachers is expected to grow at a slower than average rate in the coming years, speech-language pathologists and audiologists can anticipate an excellent job outlook.
