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Speech-Language Pathologists

Healthcare
Projected change 2024–34: +15%
Median annual wage (2024): $95,410
Employment (2024): 187K

United States · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 (figures for SOC 29-1127 occupational group)

AI exposure in published research

Figures below are reproduced from external datasets without modification. Where a dataset does not cover this occupation, the value is shown as — rather than as zero.

Data provider: OpenAI · "GPTs are GPTs"

Time basis: 2023 baselineex-ante estimate

Scored against GPT-4-generation capability.

Human rater basis
39.0%
GPT-4 rater basis
45.1%

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

24 rated tasks · 18 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (75.0%)

Version:
gh-main-0471612
License:
MIT License · Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Data provider: Anthropic Economic Index

Time basis: Published 2026-03-05composite index

Observed exposure
0.0%

Theoretical exposure index weighted by measured Claude usage, per the original report's definition.

22 tasks · usage observed in 0 · mean 0.0%

Data: Anthropic Economic Index — labor_market_impacts, CC-BY, https://huggingface.co/datasets/Anthropic/EconomicIndex

AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.

Version:
hf-lmi-2026-03
License:
CC BY 4.0
Observation period:
(not applicable to this release)
Model:
(not stated by the source)

2023 prediction vs observation-based index published 2026-03-05

One card (GPTs are GPTs) is a 2023 estimate of what AI could theoretically do; the other (Anthropic Economic Index) is built from observed usage and was published on 2026-03-05 — that is its publication date, not the period it observed. They measure different things, so the two figures cannot be added, averaged, or ranked against each other. The older figure is kept here as a baseline for comparison rather than removed.

Caution: the Anthropic figures — observed exposure and task penetration — take the Eloundou β as one of their inputs. The two sides resembling each other is therefore not evidence that the earlier prediction came true; reading it that way is circular reasoning.

The Anthropic figures are measured on Claude users, who are not the whole economy and not the whole workforce.

The mapping of O*NET tasks and occupation codes was performed by AI Changing Work. The source figures themselves were not modified.

These indices are not forecasts. Which point in time each one belongs to is stated on the badge on its card.

Task Breakdown

  • Analyze speech and language assessment data
  • Document treatment progress and outcomes
  • Conduct direct therapy sessions with patients
  • Develop individualized treatment plans

About This Occupation

If you work as a Speech-Language Pathologist, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 11/100 and overall exposure at 18%, this role faces low transformation. The highest-impact area is document treatment progress and outcomes at 55% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +15% growth through 2034. AI-powered speech analysis tools can assist with assessments, but the deeply interpersonal nature of therapy keeps human practitioners irreplaceable.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 2266ILO official

Audiologists and Speech Therapists

Definition

ILO original text (English)

Audiologists and speech therapists evaluate, manage and treat physical disorders affecting human hearing, speech, communication and swallowing. They prescribe corrective devices or rehabilitative therapies for hearing loss, speech disorders, and related sensory and neural problems and provide counselling on hearing safety and communication performance.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

View original

Official occupational information

  • ONET29-1127.00

    Speech-Language Pathologists

    Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

    View original
  • ONET29-1181.00

    Audiologists

    Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.

    View original

Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

View original

Frequently Asked Questions

The Anthropic Economic Index puts observed exposure at 0.0%. The OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" rubric puts occupation-level β at 39.0% under human raters. Both figures are reproduced from published research without modification.

They come from two published datasets: the Anthropic Economic Index (labor_market_impacts, CC BY 4.0) and the OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric (MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI). AI Changing Work maps them onto O*NET occupation and task codes and does not calculate exposure scores of its own. AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.

No. They are a diagnosis of exposure as measured at the time each source dataset was published. AI Changing Work publishes no prediction of future automation or job displacement for this occupation.

Recent Changes Affecting This Occupation

Mar 2026: Published evergreen blog post analyzing AI impact on Speech-Language Pathologists. Automation risk 11%, AI exposure 18%, BLS projects 15% growth through 2034.

[Source: AI Changing Work Blog]