Speech-Language Pathologists
Machines can already do 37% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 59%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Speech-Language Pathologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 37% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 59% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 183,390 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $97,870 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 91% for contact with people.
- Also called: Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP), Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Pediatric SLP), Speech and Language Clinician, Speech and Language Specialist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15% | 63% to 81% | |
| 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 | 8% | 29% to 62% | |
| 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 | 7% | 54% to 76% | |
| 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 | 7% | 32% to 55% | |
| Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms | 7% | 22% to 42% | |
| Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement | 7% | 22% to 42% | |
| Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans | 7% | 58% to 78% | |
| Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly | 5% | 36% to 68% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills speech-language pathologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,430
- Mental Health Counselors55% of tasks by 2035
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $59,550
- Rehabilitation Counselors55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,850
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Speech-Language Pathologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of speech-language pathologists?
Machines can do 37% of the tasks of speech-language pathologists today and 59% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1127.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Speech-Language Pathologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/speech-language-pathologists/