A speech therapist is a healthcare professional with a higher education degree who studies all aspects of human communication, such as speech, hearing, written language, among other things. The goal of a speech therapist’s work is to prevent, assess, and treat disorders related to voice, language, hearing, swallowing, and the improvement of language skills.

A good speech therapy professional has in-depth knowledge in various fields such as medicine, psychology, pedagogy, phonetics, and others. Speech therapists can work in many different ways within healthcare, whether in private clinics, hospitals, or providing individual consultations.

Women in the Speech Therapy Job Market

According to CAGED (General Registry of Employed and Unemployed), women make up the vast majority of speech therapists, representing over 94% of professionals in the field. Since speech therapy is a relatively new science when considered independent from a medical degree, the opportunities for women have always been great, with significant opportunities throughout Brazil.

Areas of Work for Speech Therapists

In addition to traditional jobs in hospitals and clinics, many women also find opportunities to work as speech therapists in communication companies such as radio and television stations, as many professionals there need guidance on communication techniques and, at times, treatment. Recording studios often hire speech therapists to treat singers.

What Is the Profile of a Speech Therapist?

First of all, it’s important to note that a speech therapist needs to genuinely enjoy communication; it’s both the subject of study and the main focus of their work, and therefore the most important trait for a speech therapist to have.

Characteristics of the Professional

An interest in healthcare and direct contact with patients is another common aptitude among speech therapists. Organization and dedication to study are other essential characteristics for this type of professional.

Since healthcare is constantly evolving, with new treatments and discoveries emerging all the time, it is very important for speech therapists to always stay up to date with what’s happening in their field.

It’s not uncommon to see professionals frustrated for not having the right profile for a particular profession. Of course, there are no strict rules dictating your personality to become a speech therapist, but it’s important to know what traits are common among professionals who are successful and happy with their work.

What Does a Speech Therapist Do?

The main work of a speech therapist involves communication and language. Whether working in hospitals, clinics, or providing services to businesses, it’s important to know that the object of this profession is always the human body and the ways it interacts with others. There are several kinds of work for speech therapists, and some of the most attractive are:

Main Work Areas

Audiology
Working in Clinics and Hospitals
Speech Therapy and Beauty
Orofacial Motricity
Teaching

Each of these areas relates to a specific type of work performed by speech therapists, each with its own particularities and different approaches to working with the public.

Audiology

The audiology professional is responsible for treating problems related to balance, hearing loss and specifically studies the sounds we hear. Everything involving the human auditory system also involves the work of an audiologist.

One of the major tasks in audiology is auditory rehabilitation, an intensive treatment carried out through exams to help patients regain or improve their ability to hear everyday sounds.

The treatment is done with the aid of high-level software and close monitoring by the speech therapist audiologist. However, it’s important to know that this type of treatment is not suitable for all cases, and it’s essential that the exams are done precisely.

Audiology is also one of the most financially rewarding areas for speech therapists. Professionals can earn as much as R$ 20,000.00 depending on the work they do.

Working in Clinics and Hospitals

This is without a doubt the most conventional role and the one where we are most used to seeing speech therapists work. Professionals in this field handle all kinds of problems, working with all types of people as well, from children to elderly individuals facing speech difficulties.

Whether in the ICU for more serious cases or in clinics, referred by doctors for specific treatments, the speech therapist must be prepared to handle issues such as speech and swallowing difficulties in children, as well as problems like stuttering, incorrect diction, physical changes that cause communication difficulties, switching letters when speaking, and many other issues.

Speech therapists who choose to work in clinics and hospitals should be patient and enjoy working with all kinds of people so that their work can be done smoothly and efficiently.

Speech Therapy and Beauty

Some speech therapists may choose to work in aesthetics, a field that has been offering more and more opportunities to professionals. Since aesthetics revolves around aligning beauty and health, speech therapists can be of great help in aesthetic clinics and SPAs.

A good example of this combination is facial aesthetics, where speech therapists work providing muscle relaxation exercises and assist in treatments for those who wish to improve their quality of life.

Orofacial Motricity

This is one of the most sought-after fields for speech therapy professionals and addresses problems with changes in specific organs, muscles, and joints related to activities such as breathing, swallowing, chewing, speaking, and more.

Professionals interested in this area can work in specialized clinics or hospitals. Those seeking a specialist in orofacial motricity usually have issues such as facial paralysis, temporomandibular dysfunction, which causes difficulty moving the jaw, along with various other difficulties involving tongue and cheek movement.

Teaching

The academic field is always an option for those who love what they do and wish to further specialize. A university professor in speech therapy, in addition to sharing knowledge with students, also conducts research and helps advance the field in Brazil and worldwide. Since the majority of professionals in the field have good communication skills, many also have a calling for teaching.

Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Therapy

Various public and private universities offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Therapy throughout Brazil. The average duration of the program is 5 years and the courses taught are mostly in the humanities, such as clinical studies, sociology studies, psychology, vocal and reading disorders, as well as courses covering the day-to-day activities of professionals, and ethics topics like human rights.

The tuition for a speech therapy degree may vary depending on the institution and the region of the country, ranging from R$ 600.00 up to R$ 2,300.00.

Main Universities for Speech Therapy

Estácio de Sá University – Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Norte do Paraná University – Londrina (PR)
Federal University of Sergipe – São Cristóvão (SE)
Potiguar University – Natal (RN)
PUC – São Paulo (SP)
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
State University of Centro-Oeste Chopinzinho (PR)
Metropolitan College of Manaus – Manaus (AM)
University of São Paulo – São Paulo (SP)
Unime College – Lomanto (BA)

Specializations in Speech Therapy

The speech therapy profession allows you to specialize in various fields, which may encompass different types of work and allow you to work in specific health niches. Some of the main specializations in speech therapy are:

Public Health
Voice Specialization
Dysphagia Specialization
Educational Speech Therapy

Each of these specializations relates to a specific type of work carried out by speech therapists and can be completed as extension courses or postgraduate programs; of course, there are differences in course content and the weight of the subjects covered in each.

Public Health

The work of a speech therapist in public health is somewhat different from the others. While most work focuses on caring for one patient at a time, those who choose this field deal with communities and specific groups.

There is a need to create strategies for public policies to solve problems in the field of speech therapy, as well as to promote prevention campaigns against diseases or public awareness efforts. The work of a speech therapist in public health may be performed in either the public or private sector.

Voice Specialization

The study of the human voice is one of the most popular paths for speech therapists to specialize in. Besides treating and preventing voice disorders, these professionals have the opportunity to work in various fields, working with actors, radio and TV hosts, musicians, teachers—any profession that uses the voice as a work tool.

In a voice specialization course, the speech therapist will learn how to properly deal with each type of professional, understanding their primary needs, challenges, and common problems. Because workplaces go far beyond clinics and hospitals, this area attracts many speech therapists seeking a career change.

Dysphagia Specialization

Dysphagia is characterized by difficulty swallowing, meaning trouble swallowing solid foods or liquids. Studies indicate that 6 out of 10 people worldwide have this problem to some degree. This explains why so many speech therapists choose to specialize in dysphagia.

The work can be performed in hospitals, ICU wards, as well as in private clinics. Most patients a speech therapist will see are elderly people, since they are the most affected by swallowing problems.

In the course, the speech therapist will learn all aspects of dysphagia, from simple cases to the most complex treatments, as well as receive a foundation in the theoretical and ethical aspects of the subject.

Educational Speech Therapy

The educational speech therapy course aims to expand the skills of a speech therapist so they can mainly work with children. An educational speech therapist may often work in schools, observing possible issues in students and suggesting treatments for them.

Other activities such a professional may undertake include language, writing, and speech workshops, always seeking to assess students to identify issues that need resolution.

The educational speech therapist may also work in a private clinic, receiving cases referred by schools or by parents who have noticed some deficiency in their child’s communication, be it in speech, writing, or receiving information.

How Much Does a Speech Therapist Earn?

There are several roles and different career levels for speech therapists, so salaries in this field can vary, but it is possible to get a sense of the general average for various positions.

How Much Does a Speech Therapist Earn at the Start of Their Career?

Early in their career, the roles require less responsibility and are based on basic care and screening, so salaries can be lower.

Small Companies: R$ 1,567.00
Medium Companies: R$ 2,037.00
Large Companies: R$ 2,648.00

How Much Does a Speech Therapist Earn at an Intermediate Level?

With more experience and, consequently, more responsibilities, the speech therapist performs more specialized work (depending on their area of expertise) and salaries tend to increase significantly.

Small Companies: R$ 2,448.00
Medium Companies: R$ 3,183.00
Large Companies: R$ 4,138.00

How Much Does a Speech Therapist Earn in an Established Career?

In leadership positions and with much more experience, speech therapists can earn much more. For this, not only years of experience in the field are needed, but also a lot of study and dedication within each function the professional wishes to perform.

Small Companies: R$ 3,825.00
Medium Companies: R$ 4,973.00
Large Companies: R$ 6,465.00

The work of a speech therapist may seem challenging, but it is very rewarding to see treatments, prevention, and public health campaigns having an effect. Healthcare professionals, in general, enjoy the idea of helping people in some way, and speech therapists can closely witness these changes, seeing results with each patient, whether in prevention or curing some disorder.

Photo: Prefeitura de Olinda, Rafa Alves

Speech Therapist – What They Do and How Much They Earn