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K-12 Schools
Los Angeles Unified School District, Chicago Public Schools, New York City Public Schools
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
These workers help speech-language pathologists run therapy sessions by documenting progress, preparing practice materials, and assisting with screenings or assessments. The work is unusual because it mixes hands-on client support with detailed recordkeeping: you need to notice small changes in speech and language, but you do not make the treatment decisions yourself. That tradeoff gives people a clear entry into healthcare, but the pay and scope of practice stay fairly limited.
Also known as Speech-Language Pathology AssistantSpeech Therapy AssistantSpeech Pathology AssistantSLP AssistantSpeech-Language Assistant
Median Salary
$46,050
Mean $48,760
U.S. Workforce
~104K
14.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.5%
109.7K to 113.5K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other sits in the Healthcare category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~104K workers, with a median annual pay of $46,050 and roughly 14.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 109.7 K in 2024 to 113.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Therapy Aide and can progress toward Lead Rehabilitation Support Specialist. High-value skills usually include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Speaking, paired with soft skills such as Clear Communication, Empathy, and Patience.
Core Responsibilities
- Track each client’s progress and turn session notes into clear records and charts for the supervising clinician.
- Update treatment notes after sessions so goals, setbacks, and next steps are easy to follow.
- Carry out parts of a therapy plan by leading practice activities and guided exercises the speech-language pathologist assigned.
- Set up session materials, keep supplies stocked, manage records, and handle appointment scheduling.
Keep exploring: more Healthcare careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Track each client’s progress and turn session notes into clear records and charts for the supervising clinician.
02 Update treatment notes after sessions so goals, setbacks, and next steps are easy to follow.
03 Carry out parts of a therapy plan by leading practice activities and guided exercises the speech-language pathologist assigned.
04 Set up session materials, keep supplies stocked, manage records, and handle appointment scheduling.
05 Choose or prepare worksheets, picture cards, and other practice materials used during speech and language sessions.
06 Help with screenings and evaluations by gathering information and supporting the clinician during checks of speech, language, voice, fluency, articulation, or hearing.
Industries That Hire
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Hospitals and Health Systems
Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare
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Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinics
Select Medical, Concentra, ATI Physical Therapy
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Pediatric Therapy Centers
Kennedy Krieger Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, Boston Children's Hospital
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Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care
Brookdale, Genesis HealthCare, The Ensign Group
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started with a high school diploma, and the BLS lists no work experience or on-the-job training as required entry, which makes the role more accessible than many healthcare jobs.
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There are about 14.4K annual openings, so people do move in and out of the field regularly even though growth is not especially strong.
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The median pay of $46,050 is solid for a role that does not require a degree, and the mean of $48,760 suggests some employers pay above that.
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The work is hands-on and client-facing, so you can see progress in real people rather than sitting at a desk all day.
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You can work in different settings, including schools, clinics, hospitals, and long-term care, which gives you some flexibility if you want to change environments later.
Challenges
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Projected growth is only 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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Employment is expected to rise by just 3.8K over a decade, which means many openings will come from turnover rather than brand-new demand.
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The pay is modest compared with the responsibility of supporting therapy and keeping detailed records, so it may not feel rewarding financially for everyone.
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The role has a hard ceiling because assistants work under supervision and cannot independently diagnose clients or design treatment plans.
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A lot of the work is repetitive and detail-heavy, with constant documentation, monitoring, and follow-up, which can become tiring in busy settings.
Career Progression
Therapy Aide
0-2 years
$31K-$37K
You help with setup, room preparation, and basic support tasks while learning how therapy sessions and documentation work.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
1-4 years
$39K-$50K
You carry out assigned therapy activities, document progress, and support screenings under the direction of a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Senior Speech-Language Pathology Assistant THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$51K-$62K
You handle more complex documentation, take on a heavier client load, and work more independently within a supervised plan.
Lead Rehabilitation Support Specialist
8+ years
$63K-$78K
You coordinate support workflows, mentor newer assistants, and help keep therapy operations organized across a school, clinic, or health system.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the most common entry point, held by 26.93% of workers in the occupation, and it matches the BLS typical entry requirement.
Post-secondary certificate in speech-language pathology assisting or a related health program
A common route, held by 15.38% of workers, especially for people who want job-specific preparation without a full degree.
Associate degree in communication sciences, health sciences, or a related field
A less common route, held by 11.54% of workers, and it can help you stand out for school-based or clinic-based jobs.
Bachelor's degree in communication sciences, psychology, education, or a related field
Some workers enter with a bachelor's degree, held by 11.67% of workers, which can help if you want more flexibility across settings.
Key Skills
Technical
Active Listening 76%
Reading Comprehension 74%
Speaking 69%
Social Perceptiveness 68%
Critical Thinking 65%
Monitoring 65%
Electronic Health Records (Epic, Cerner) & Documentation Systems 63%
Speech Therapy Materials, AAC Devices & Screening Tools 61%
Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets 60%
Soft Skills
Clear CommunicationEmpathyPatienceAttention to DetailTeamworkProfessional Boundaries Job Outlook and Trends
+3.5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
14.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 109.7K to 113.5 K over the next decade, representing 3.5% growth. Around 14.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.