# Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

> Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 31-9099.01
- **Summary:** Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.

## Aliases

- Communication Assistant
- Speech Pathologist Assistant
- Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA)
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
- Speech Assistant
- Speech Paraeducator
- Speech Therapy Assistant
- Speech-Language Assistant
- Speech-Language Pathologists Assistant (SLPA)
- Speech-Language Technician
- Anatomic Pathology Assistant
- Certified Pathology Assistant

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Document clients' progress toward meeting established treatment objectives. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.k |
| Implement treatment plans or protocols as directed by speech-language pathologists. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.b |
| Collect and compile data to document clients' performance or assess program quality. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.f |
| Perform support duties, such as preparing materials, keeping records, maintaining supplies, and scheduling activities. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.k |
| Assist speech-language pathologists in the remediation or development of speech and language skills. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.b |
| Select or prepare speech-language instructional materials. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.a |
| Assist speech-language pathologists in the conduct of client screenings or assessments of language, voice, fluency, articulation, or hearing. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Prepare charts, graphs, or other visual displays to communicate clients' performance information. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.f |
| Test or maintain equipment to ensure correct performance. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Conduct in-service training sessions, or family and community education programs. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.b.3.f |
| Assist speech-language pathologists in the conduct of speech-language research projects. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.a.2.b |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs. | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning. | 4.A.4.a.5.b |
| Prepare medical reports or documents. | 4.A.3.b.6.f |
| Maintain medical records. | 4.A.3.b.6.k |
| Monitor medical equipment to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists. | 4.A.4.a.2.b |
| Assist engineers or scientists with research. | 4.A.4.a.2.b |
| Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel. | 4.A.4.b.3.f |
| Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use. | 4.A.3.a.2.k |
| Perform clerical work in medical settings. | 4.A.4.c.1.a |
| Develop patient therapy programs. | 4.A.2.b.2.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| English Language | knowledge | 4.55 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 4.15 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 4 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 4 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.88 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Therapy and Counseling | knowledge | 3.68 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.62 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.62 |
| Psychology | knowledge | 3.61 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.5 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.5 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.38 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 3.36 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | ability | 3.25 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Learning Strategies | essential_skill | 3 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3 |
| Originality | ability | 3 |
| Time Sharing | ability | 3 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 2.88 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 2.88 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 2.76 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Windows | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Email Software | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe Audition | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Medical Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Adobe Audition | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Biofeedback software | Medical software | no | no |
| Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor | Medical software | no | no |
| ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources | Medical software | no | no |
| Email software | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| KayPENTAX Multi-Speech | Medical software | no | no |
| Language analysis software | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Learning Fundamentals Speech Visualization | Medical software | no | no |
| Micro Video Video Voice Speech Training System | Medical software | no | no |
| Propeller Multimedia React2 | Medical software | no | no |
| Signal analysis software | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Speech analysis software | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Text to speech software | Text to speech conversion software | no | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Contact With Others | 4.77 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.74 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.3 |
| E-Mail | 4.28 |
| Physical Proximity | 4.22 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.1 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.02 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.81 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.72 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.7 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.64 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.6 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.52 |
| Time Pressure | 3.46 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.4 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.29 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.28 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.02 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 2.83 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.83 |
| Level of Competition | 2.76 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.48 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.45 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.39 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.35 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 2.23 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 2.18 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.16 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.13 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.13 |
| Conflict Situations | 1.95 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 1.88 |
| Degree of Automation | 1.87 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 1.68 |
| Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People | 1.59 |
| Public Speaking | 1.58 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 1.54 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 1.49 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 1.35 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 1.26 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Bachelor's Degree | 23.34 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 14.12 |
| Master's Degree | 4.81 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dependability | work_style | 7 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 6 |
| Health Care Service | specific_interest_area | 5.81 |
| Social Service | specific_interest_area | 5.52 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 5.48 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5 |
| Integrity | work_style | 5 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 4.68 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 4.37 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 4 |
| Social Science | specific_interest_area | 3.22 |
| Social Orientation | work_style | 3 |
| Medical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.92 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 2.65 |
| Professional Advising | specific_interest_area | 2.56 |
| Empathy | work_style | 2.54 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 29-1127.00 | role-29-1127-00 | Speech-Language Pathologists | Primary-Short |
| 31-2012.00 | role-31-2012-00 | Occupational Therapy Aides | Primary-Short |
| 31-2011.00 | role-31-2011-00 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Primary-Short |
| 29-1181.00 | role-29-1181-00 | Audiologists | Primary-Short |
| 29-2053.00 | role-29-2053-00 | Psychiatric Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-1122.00 | role-29-1122-00 | Occupational Therapists | Primary-Long |
| 29-1122.01 | role-29-1122-01 | Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists | Primary-Long |
| 31-2022.00 | role-31-2022-00 | Physical Therapist Aides | Primary-Long |
| 31-2021.00 | role-31-2021-00 | Physical Therapist Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 31-9092.00 | role-31-9092-00 | Medical Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 29-1141.04 | role-29-1141-04 | Clinical Nurse Specialists | Supplemental |
| 21-1015.00 | role-21-1015-00 | Rehabilitation Counselors | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Healthcare & Human Services | healthcare-human-services |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 46050
- **Mean Wage:** 48760
- **Pct10Wage:** 32450
- **Pct25Wage:** 37570
- **Pct75Wage:** 57650
- **Pct90Wage:** 68180
- **Employment:** 103650
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 60630 | 43200 | 3.9 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 13000 | 48000 | 1.42 |
| 621340 | 621340 | Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists | National industry | 4610 | 50120 | 14.39 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 3850 | 42020 | 0.63 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 2880 | 46960 | 1.62 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 1490 | 50460 | 0.14 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 1150 | 31170 | 0.39 |
| 623220 | 623220 | Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities | National industry | 1050 | 38080 | 6.04 |
| 624120 | 624120 | Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities | National industry | 930 | 52000 | 0.57 |
| 52 | 52 | Finance and Insurance | Sector | 740 | 59850 | 0.18 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 740 | 60210 | 0.1 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 740 | 37640 | 0.39 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 621340 | 621340 | Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists | National industry | 4610 | 14.39 |
| 623220 | 623220 | Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities | National industry | 1050 | 6.04 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 60630 | 3.9 |
| 621310 | 621310 | Offices of Chiropractors | National industry | 340 | 3.47 |
| 621320 | 621320 | Offices of Optometrists | National industry | 210 | 2.05 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 2880 | 1.62 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 13000 | 1.42 |
| 524114 | 524114 | Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers | National industry | 410 | 1.36 |
- **Count:** 27

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.1660077 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.224627 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 0.2520649 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 47
- **Percentile:** 46
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 52 | felten_aioe |
| 77 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 12 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.1660077 | 52 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.894736842105263 | 77 | High | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.05386165634315408 | 12 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |
- **Teleworkable:** yes

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.3157894736842105
- **Beta:** 0.6052631578947368
- **Gamma:** 0.894736842105263

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prepare charts, graphs, or other visual displays to communicate clients' performance information. | 0.0198226031083485 | 3.76 |
| Select or prepare speech-language instructional materials. | 0.002773110279406267 | 4.54 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 3.5
- **Growth Percentile:** 58
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 14.4
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 72
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 109.7
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 113.5

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 11
- **Skills:** 37
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 18
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 89c384af4104cbf1