What is a speech therapist salary in schools?

The national average for a speech therapist salary in schools is $79,960, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall compensation for school-based speech therapists can vary due to a number of factors. 

Quick look at school-based speech therapist pay considerations: 

• Pay can vary based on location, type of school and type of employment contract. 
• Adding specialties can increase pay. 
• Consider additional perks and benefits when evaluating compensation. 

National average for a speech therapist salary in schools.

According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the national average salary for speech therapists in the United States is $89,290, with the lowest 10% of the profession earning below $57,910 and the highest 10% earning more than $129,930. In 2023, there were 180,800 speech therapist jobs in the U.S., 40% of which were in the educational sector. The average salary for these positions is $79,960. 

Factors affecting speech therapist salaries.

School-based speech therapist salaries can be influenced by a variety of factors, including location, type of school, grade level taught, and type of employment contract. Learn more about each factor below: 

• Location: The average salary of a school-based therapist will vary depending on where you work, with certain states and cities offering higher wages than others. Consider this factor when you’re looking for jobs across different states and cities. 

• Type of School: Salaries for speech therapists in schools may vary depending on whether the school is private or public. 

• Type of Employment Contract: Salaries for school-based speech therapists can be different depending on the type of employment contract. For example, school-based therapists employed by the school district receive employee-based benefits, whereas contract-based speech therapists may earn higher pay than full-time therapists and have more flexibility over their schedule. There are benefits to both types of work. 

Do specialized speech therapists in schools make more money? 

Simply put, having specializations or additional accolades can help you earn more as a school-based speech therapist. 

For example, if you are a bilingual speech therapist or know multiple languages, you’re likely in high demand because you could potentially help a greater pool of students. Therefore, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary. 

Additionally, if you have expertise using assistive technology or other communication devices, you may be able to negotiate higher salaries.  

What is the total compensation for speech therapists in schools?

Total compensation refers to the total value of benefits and perks beyond just cash compensation. Some perks and benefits you should review in addition to the base salary include: 

• Paid time off: Most schools give speech therapists the same breaks off school as teachers, which are summer breaks, winter and spring breaks. There may be additional paid-time-off packages, as well as the opportunity to work summer programs to earn more money. 

• Benefits: Most schools are required to provide health insurance to full-time staff members, but you should also check whether you would be eligible for other benefits, such as dental or vision insurance, as well as retirement options. 

• Work-life balance: Be sure to evaluate whether you’re required to commit to lots of off-school hours as a school-based speech therapist. Protecting your work-life balance can help you prevent burnout. 

• Role setup and travel: Some districts require speech therapists to travel from school to school to spread the resources fairly amongst schools. 

• Opportunities for learning and advancement: Some districts will provide support for educational advancement and continuing education to support growing talent and entice young speech therapists to stay at the school. 

Benefits of working as an independent contractor partner through PTS. 

Being a partner with PTS offers a few more benefits: 

• Higher pay than W2 
• Deductible expenses 
• Flexibility in scheduling 
• Be your own boss 
• Access to benefit options 
• Professional training 

At Pediatric Therapeutic Services, we’re here to help you make a difference. 

You chose to be an SLP to make a difference, and at Pediatric Therapeutic Services, we’re here to help you move your career forward.  

We’d love to talk with you about how we place SLPs in schools and how we can help you begin providing students with the support they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. Learn more about our current staffing opportunities. 

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