Speech-Language Pathologist

O*NET: Speech-Language Pathologists·29-1127.00

The Verdict:Speech-language pathology relies on hands-on guidance of tongue, jaw, and breathing, adapting to each patient's unique responses. AI supports evaluations and documentation but cannot perform physical exercises or foster clinical trust. Licensure and rising demand secure the role.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$95k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+15%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 2 of 23 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role has a mixed AI profile.
2 tasks are automatable, 48% reward AI fluency, and 10 remain human-essential.

2exposed

11AI leverage

10human-essential

View all 23 tasks

AI Can Handle This2 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.

Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.

AI Leverage11 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.

Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.

Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.

Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.

Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities.

Consult with and refer clients to additional medical or educational services.

Design, develop, or employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies.

Participate in conferences, training, continuing education courses, or publish research results to share knowledge of new hearing or speech disorder treatment methods or technologies.

Use computer applications to identify or assist with communication disabilities.

Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.

Conduct or direct research on speech or hearing topics and report findings for use in developing procedures, technologies, or treatments.

Human Advantage10 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.

Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.

Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.

Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.

Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.

Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.

Conduct lessons or direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems.

Provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited English proficiency.

Supervise students or assistants.

Communicate with students who use an alternative method of communications, using sign language or computer technology.

Resilience Landscape

Speech-Language Pathologist lands in Stable & Well-Paid

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Task Analysis

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