14 Alternative Careers options for speech-language Pathologists

Speech-language Pathologists are faced with a lot of decisions about their future careers.

They may have to decide whether they want to work at a school or in the hospital setting, if they want to pursue private practice, or if they would rather be an academician.

Who is a speech pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists or SLPs for short are health professionals trained to help people with communication and swallowing disorders. They assess the client’s condition in order to develop a treatment plan which includes therapy and exercises speech sounds and muscles needed for speaking.

A speech pathologist is a very important member of the healthcare system. They help children and adults with communication disorders by analyzing their patterns to create treatment plans tailored for them so that they can speak more clearly in everyday interactions.

There are many different choices out there for them and all of these can lead to a fulfilling career as well as making them happy!

Speech-language Pathologists should explore all of their options before committing themselves so that they know what is best for them.

You may have recently graduated from a speech-language pathology program and are looking for your first opportunity. You feel like you’re in the dark with so many options of where to start.

Maybe you would like some advice on how to go about this process? This blog post will cover different career paths that can be pursued by speech-language pathologists after graduation, as well as helpful tips on how to find work in these fields.

Speech Pathology is one of the fastest-growing professions today and there are so many opportunities available for those who specialize in it.

Speech-language pathologists work with people who have difficulty speaking or understanding because of injury, illness, or disability.

They help clients improve their communication skills by developing new strategies to overcome challenges they

It’s been a brutal year for the Speech-Language Pathology profession. The demand for SLPs is high, but the supply is low and salaries are shrinking.

There are many alternative careers that may be more suited to your interests and skill set, such as medical transcriptionist, librarian, professor of communication sciences and disorders, or even speech-language pathology assistant!

List of alternative career options for speech-language pathologists

It can feel overwhelming when you’re looking at all the career options available to you when you don’t know what field you want to go into after graduating from school.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! Why not follow your heart? If there’s something else out there that captures your attention then pursue it! You might find yourself happier in a different career path than SLP.

Speech-language Pathologists often work with patients who have difficulty communicating due to various reasons including stroke or neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or Alzheimer’s Disease.

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#1. Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs)

Medical Lab. technicians perform many tasks related to laboratory testing including performing chemical tests on biological samples based on blood type; analyzing

#2. Medical transcriptionist

Many speech-language pathologists are considering a new career option because of the low demand for their services in today’s job market. The medical transcriptionist profession is growing and offers many benefits to those who choose this field.

Medical Transcriptionist is a Growing Career Option for Speech-Language Pathologist. SLPs has traditionally been known as an occupation that requires patience and understanding.

As a medical transcriptionist, you will work in an office environment and not need any clinical experience. Medical transcription is very similar to what you would do as a speech-language pathologist but without the heavy lifting that comes with being in the clinic all day long!

Medical transcriptionists work primarily from home, using their computer and internet connection. You can set your own schedule, which means more time at home or more hours per week if desired.

#3. Special Education Teacher

If you decide to go back into teaching, a specialty in special education is one of the most popular options.

You need at least six years of experience in speech-language pathology before moving to this profession.

Special Education teachers are responsible for working with children who have learning or physical disabilities and teach them skills that they need for inclusion in school programs.

As a special education teacher, you can earn up to $66,000 per year and work with pre-school through high school-aged students.

As a Special Education teacher, you might have to design a curriculum for literacy or writing skills, provide training on behavioral interventions to staff members, read aloud in classrooms as well as create lesson plans.

There is a range of teaching options available when looking at this career.

#4. English as a second language (ESL) teacher

If you have a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and speak English as well as another language (Spanish or Korean), an ESL teaching position is a great option.

Most of these positions require at least two years of experience and certification with the state department of education.

The majority of ESL teachers work for school districts that provide bilingual programs to students who speak a language other than English as their first and/or second language.

Some ESL teachers teach in non-traditional settings such as public libraries, community colleges, or hospitals.

ESL teaching positions are available across the country including New York City and Los Angeles where there is a high demand for bilingual educators to serve diverse populations of students in both English-only and bilingual classrooms.

If you are interested in teaching a particular language, there is no shortage of opportunities to do so!

Some jobs require certification or coursework while others provide on-the-job training as long as the teacher has two years of experience with elementary-aged students.

ESL teachers often work full time and earn up to $65,000 a year.

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#5. Sign Language Interpreter

You can find a lot of interpreters who work with the deaf and hearing impaired. These are people that translate sign language into spoken word or written words, as well as translate from one spoken language to another (for example, English to Chinese).

Interpreter jobs offer competitive salaries in some areas of the country–especially if you have a degree in sign language, bilingual or multilingual skills. Salary ranges from $20-$40 per hour.

#6. Bilingual (English and Spanish) / English to Chinese translator

Hiring requirements for this position include a strong command of both languages, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in stressful situations.

You could go into it with an educational background (such as bilingual studies) or get on-the-job training because there are no formal educational requirements.

Salary ranges from $25-$40 per hour.

#7. French translator

A French translator must be fluent in both languages and have a strong understanding of the culture.

The average salary for a French translator is $50,000. There are many different types of companies that may hire you as a French translator. You do not need to be fluent in the language to obtain this job.

As an interpreter and translator, your work will involve translating documents from one language to another.

You will also have some interpreting duties which can include oral or sign interpretations at conferences or meetings.

This type of work is usually done on locations such as business offices or hospitals.

Do you have a passion for languages? Would you like to work in an office environment with other professionals? If so, becoming a translator might be the perfect career choice for you.

Some companies also require that you pass an exam, such as the CBEST for teaching jobs or the CGFNS TOEFL/IELTS for translation work.

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#8. Recreation Therapists

Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat patients with speech, language, cognitive, or swallowing disorders.

The average annual salary for a recreation therapist is $38,500. They work in many different settings including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and schools.

Recreation therapists are licensed by the state they work in and must have at least an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

A career as a recreation therapist can be very rewarding because you get to make people feel better about themselves with your enthusiasm and compassion.

The job has excellent benefits such as paid time off and health insurance which makes it worth the effort to become certified in this field of therapy!

#9. Voice Coach

A voice coach is a person who teaches people how to improve their voices, vocal quality, and overall communication skills. The voice coach job is a fascinating one. They teach people how to speak, sing, and communicate effectively.

A professional voice coach will work with clients in person or via phone consultations. They will teach them techniques that are helpful for developing their vocal skills as well as monitor progress over time.

Voice coaches work with actors, singers, public speakers, and other professionals. They may also work as language therapists for people with speech or hearing difficulties.

Voice coaches typically have a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited university and they may also hold other credentials such as being certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).

The median salary of this profession is $35,000 per year but it can vary depending on experience level and geographic location.

#10. Traveling SLPs

Who doesn’t find international travel exciting and adventurous? Traveling SLPs can work with therapy or medical staffing agencies to secure contracts at hospitals, schools, and other facilities that need to fill SLP positions quickly.

Many Speech-Language Pathologists are contemplating a change of scenery to find their perfect career.

This is due to the shortage of available jobs in some states and because many SLPs want to have the opportunity for a better work/life balance or more competitive pay.

More and more speech pathologists are taking advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that come with being an independent contractor.

It can be difficult when considering which state you should relocate to, especially if you’re not sure how much your new job will pay and if there’s a shortage of clinicians where you intend on living.

Whether it’s traveling to different states on temporary assignments, working remotely from home, or living abroad for extended periods of time, there’s never been a better time to be your own boss.

They must have two years of experience working in a permanent clinical setting before they are eligible for this opportunity as well!

#11. Teaching about Language disorders online/offline

The average annual salary of a speech-language pathologist is $64,000. This does not account for the many hours that go into clinical work and research to stay current in the field.

Many instructors find themselves juggling administrative tasks with teaching responsibilities while also attending to their clients’ needs.

The Speech-Language Pathology profession has the potential to be a lucrative career.

However, many people do not know that there is more than one kind of speech-language pathologist.

If you are considering becoming a speech-language pathologist and want to maximize your earning potential, it’s time you learned about language disorder instructing.

#12. Voice over artist

If you are in the speech-language pathology field, chances are you have seen some of your clients struggle with their voices.

One way to help them is by using a voice-over artist for therapy. Voice-over artists can be used as a tool to practice new sounds and work on specific goals that your client may need help with.

Voice-over artists also provide an affordable option for those who do not have access to speech therapy or cannot afford it.

Voiceovers can be done in person at the office or remotely online through Skype sessions, Facetime calls, etc.

Voiceovers offer more flexibility than traditional speech therapy because they can often be done from anywhere which means that someone could receive treatment even if they’re living abroad!

A voice-over artist has a unique ability to help children with disabilities communicate their thoughts and feelings through language.

Voice-over artists are able to use their natural speaking skills in order to create voices for animated characters such as Mickey Mouse or Winnie the Pooh and other great commercials needed by brands to promote their businesses.

Voice overs also include narrating documentaries and commercials. There is no specific training necessary when becoming a voice-over artist but they do need to be able to speak in a clear, articulate manner with an ability to read aloud and project.

Voice-over artists are involved with the production of films by voicing characters or dialogue that is not captured on tape such as sporting events where there’s no sound from the game itself.

An SLP can work as a voice-over artist and earn money in addition to the salary they earn from their day job.

#13. Start a Youtube Channel around your profession

Speech-language pathologists are an important part of the health care community, but they often don’t get enough recognition for their work.

One way to combat this is by starting a youtube channel as a speech-language Pathologist and use it to educate the public on what you do every day.

A recent study has shown that speech-language pathologists may be able to increase their reach significantly by starting a youtube channel. Youtube is a site where people can post videos for others to watch, and it is the second most popular search engine after Google.

#14. Speech Therapist

As a speech-language pathologist, you will work with people who have communication disorders. Your job duties may include working in schools or hospitals and providing therapy services to children, adults, and seniors.

As a speech therapist, you will need to have an understanding of many different aspects of the human body and how it functions. You’ll also need to be able to work with children that are struggling with certain speech problems such as autism or apraxia.

The median annual salary for this profession is around $54,010

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Conclusion

Speech pathology is a rewarding and challenging career that requires compassion, intelligence, and commitment.

If you are considering changing careers or beginning your speech therapy journey but feel unsure about which path to take, consider these alternative careers for speech pathologists before making a decision. We hope this post has provided some insight into the world of communication disorders jobs so that you can make an informed decision on what’s right for you.