Are you looking for a satisfying career that will help improve people’s health and quality of life? If so, working as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or Occupational Therapist (OT) is a promising career path for you. maybe. SLP and OT, as her two main occupations in the healthcare industry, make a lasting difference in the lives of patients while enjoying a rewarding and well-paying career.1,2
Both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and occupational therapists (OTs) aim to improve the well-being of their patients. While there are similarities between the two career paths, there are also fundamental differences.3,Four
Unravel the SLP vs OT debate and find the route that resonates with you.
What is a speech pathologist?
SLPs (Speech Therapists) are licensed health care providers who aim to improve a patient’s speech, language, and swallowing skills.Five In some scenarios this may also include assisting patients with oral complications, such as infants with swallowing problems or adults with speech problems.6
Speech therapists work with a wide variety of individuals in a variety of health care settings. This may include:7
- Stroke victims need to relearn how to speak
- Children and adults who stutter or struggle with semantics and syntax
- Patients with autism, hearing loss, and developmental delay
Ranked the 11th best career in the health profession, SLPs have the opportunity to work with individuals throughout their lives, from toddlers to teens to seniors, and make a lasting impact on patients.8
What is an occupational therapist?
OT is also a licensed healthcare provider that provides therapeutic support. However, they focus on another aspect of therapy. Ability to perform basic daily activities such as bathing, eating, and dressing.9 OT also assists individuals and their families or caregivers by learning how to use adaptive equipment to make their daily tasks safer and more comfortable.
Like SLP, OT has been adopted in a variety of healthcare settings.Ten Whether in a clinic or nursing home, OT puts patients in control of their health and prepares caregivers to assist them through this process. OT is available for patients of all ages. This may mean:11,12
- Elderly people prone to falls and accidents
- Patients with developmental delay
- injured child and adult
Occupational therapists can bridge the necessary gap between a doctor’s diagnosis and the stresses of everyday life, helping patients regain a sense of autonomy, power and independence, regardless of their condition or illness.13
OT vs SLP: How Does It Compare?
Each profession offers distinct ways to help individuals reach their full potential. If you are interested in language and communication, Speech Language Pathology may be a natural fit. If you are interested in how the human body works and its ability to adapt, relearn and heal, consider occupational therapy.
There are other important aspects to consider when it comes to the occupational and speech therapy debate.
salary
Both SLPs and OTs have a genuine desire to enrich the lives of others, but salary may be a consideration. Here’s a comparison of average salaries for SLP and OT:
- speech pathologist – Latest data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the SLP earns a median annual income of $79,060.14 SLPs employed in nursing homes and residential facilities earn an average of $99,340 annually, while SLPs providing educational services earn approximately $75,270 annually.15 The type of medical facility they work in, the state they practice in, and their specialty can all affect an SLP’s salary.
- occupational therapist — OTs earn about $6,000 more annually than SLPs, with a median income of $85,570.16 For example, the median annual salary for an OT working in a home care environment is $98,700.17
education and training
If you are working with occupational and speech therapy issues, remember that both require intensive training at the educational and clinical level.
Finally, OTs must be licensed in the state they choose to work in, and each state has different requirements for continuing education.twenty four OTs must also complete supervised fieldwork to obtain their license.twenty five
Occupational Therapy vs. Speech Therapy: Key Differences and Similarities
SLP and OT work in the field of rehabilitation. Both professions aim to improve the lives of patients. Additionally, each role requires compassion, an eye for detail, and strong communication skills.26,27
The main difference between professions is the area of concentration. Speech pathologists focus on language, speech, and swallowing complications, while occupational therapists help patients acquire or acquire the skills necessary to perform daily functions, regardless of age, condition, or injury. Helps repair.28,29
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USAHS New Dallas Campus Simulation Lab
Find the right medical profession for you
Ultimately, the OT vs. SLP decision comes down to personal and professional goals. Both career paths boast a wealth of benefits, from promising salary potential to opportunities to provide patients with the skills they need to thrive.
Fortunately, the University of St. Augustine Health Sciences (USAHS) can help take this decision further.our Graduate Occupational Therapy Program and the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology (MS-SLP) are designed to give aspiring healthcare professionals the continuing education and training they need to succeed.
Request information about our MS-SLP and OT programs, apply today, and find the career path that’s right for you.
sauce:
- US News & World Report, “Speech-Language Pathologist”, US News & World Report, Last updated in 2021, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/speech-language-pathologist.
- US News & World Report, “What is an Occupational Therapist?” US News & World Report, Last updated in 2021, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/occupational-therapist.
- US News & World Report, “Speech-Language Pathologist”, US News & World Report, Last updated in 2021, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/speech-language-pathologist.
- US News & World Report, “What is an Occupational Therapist?” US News & World Report, Last updated in 2021, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/occupational-therapist.
- US News & World Report, “Speech-Language Pathologist”, US News & World Report, Last updated in 2021, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/speech-language-pathologist.
- USAHS, “What Are Speech Language Pathologists and What Do They Do?” USAHSlast updated March 2020,
- USAHS, “What Are Speech Language Pathologists and What Do They Do?” USAHSlast updated March 2020,
- US News & World Report, “Speech-Language Pathologist”, US News & World Report, Last updated in 2021, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/speech-language-pathologist.
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “What is Occupational Therapy?” Mr. Aota Last updated in 2023, .
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “What is Occupational Therapy?” Mr. Aota Last updated in 2023, .
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “What is Occupational Therapy?” Mr. Aota Last updated in 2023,
- US News & World Report, “What is an Occupational Therapist?” US News & World Report, Last updated in 2021, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/occupational-therapist.
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “What is Occupational Therapy?” Mr. Aota Last updated in 2023, https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/practice/manage/presentation-resources/brochure/what-is-ot-brochure.pdf.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Speech-Language Pathologists” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticslast updated September 2022, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Speech-Language Pathologists: Pay.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticslast updated September 2022, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-5.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: A Handbook of Occupational Perspectives.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Last updated September 2022, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-5.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pay.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Last updated September 2022, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-5.
- USAHS, “What Are Speech Language Pathologists and What Do They Do?” USAHSlast updated March 2020,
- USAHS, “What Are Speech Language Pathologists and What Do They Do?” USAHSlast updated March 2020,
- USAHS, “How to Become a Speech Therapist: Steps to a Meaningful Career” USAHS, Last updated: March 2022,
- 2 USAHS, “What Are Speech Language Pathologists and What Do They Do?” USAHSlast updated March 2020,
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: A Handbook of Occupational Perspectives.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Last updated September 2022, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-4.
- USAHS, “How to Become an Occupational Therapist – Benefits and Job Opportunities” USAHS, Last updated February 2022,
- USAHS, “How to Become an Occupational Therapist – Benefits and Job Opportunities” USAHS, Last updated February 2022,
- AOTA, “Supervisory Requirements”, Mr. Aota Last updated in 2023, https://www.aota.org/career/state-licensure/supervision-requirements.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: A Handbook of Occupational Perspectives.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Last updated September 2022,
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Speech-Language Pathologists” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticslast updated September 2022,
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “What is Occupational Therapy?” Mr. Aota Last updated in 2023, https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/practice/manage/presentation-resources/brochure/what-is-ot-brochure.pdf.
- USAHS, “What Are Speech Language Pathologists and What Do They Do?” USAHSlast updated March 2020,